In New England Patriots’ Running Back Room, A Healthy James Robinson Could Prove To Be A Steal

The next complement to Rhamondre Stevenson remains a dart throw.

A running back that the New England Patriots signed to a two-year, $4 million contract in March could be just the right kind of dart throw.

That’s James Robinson, whose fast rise has since been subject to a significant injury that arrived in the midst of turnover.

The Illinois State product was once the fourth undrafted NFL rookie ever to reach the 1,000-yard milestone on the ground. Once wasn’t long ago, either. Robinson got there through 14 appearances as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020.

Over the course of 289 offensive touches that campaign, there were 1,070 rushing yards, 344 receiving yards and ten touchdowns amassed. But to injured reserve the reigning Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie selection went with a torn left Achilles tendon late in 2021, after he had totaled 989 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns across 14 games.

Just 259 days removed from the December departure, Robinson made his return to the field for Jacksonville’s opener last September. He would go on to find the end zone four times through his initial three starts, too, breaking off for a long of 50 yards and hitting the century mark once.

A reduced role and reduced effectiveness followed as the calendar turned to October. In advance of the league’s trade deadline, a conditional sixth-round draft choice became the compensation as Robinson became a New York Jet.

The emergence of former No. 25 overall pick Travis Etienne had a hand in the shift under Doug Pederson, the third full-time head coach during Robinson’s tenure in Jacksonville. From there, the past production never caught up to present in East Rutherford.

Inactive for all but four games, Robinson fought for 85 yards on 29 handoffs as the Jets finished 30th in ESPN’s run-block win rate with a depleted offensive line that Pro Football Focus graded out 31st.

His lone touchdown came out of the backfield near the goal line.

Not tendered by the organization as a restricted free agent, the 5-foot-9, 219-pound Robinson landed in Foxborough as an unrestricted free agent. He did so the week before 2020 and 2021 Patriots rushing leader Damien Harris joined the Buffalo Bills on a one-year, $1.77 million pact.

A similar, violent style of back between the tackles with added experience in the passing game — where 80 receptions were logged through two seasons in the league — is the projection. Only that projection hinges on how much closer Robinson is now to what he was then.

What’s known is that downs will need to be spelled. Stevenson was leaned on for 210 carries and 69 catches last year while staying in for 66% of the offensive snaps. The recent fourth-rounder from Oklahoma’s sophomore breakout tied for the New England lead with six touchdowns. It stretched 1,471 scrimmage yards en route to ranking fourth in franchise history.

The current depth chart also includes 2022 draftees Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris along with veterans J.J. Taylor and Ty Montgomery.

But the Patriots bought low on 23 career touchdowns through age 24.

As reported last month by A to Z Sports’ Doug Kyed, Robinson’s deal with New England includes an injury waiver and split salaries yet no signing bonus nor fully guaranteed money. Up to $4 million loom in incentives between 2023 and 2024, with each tier valued at $400,000 for logging 450, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,200 rushing yards. A $150,000 roster bonus is due in the initial year while both years bring $160,000 workout bonuses and $680,000 in cumulative per-game active bonuses.

The stay begins with a cap number of $1.78 million, per Miguel Benzan of PatsCap, as a portion of Robinson’s active bonuses are classified as not likely to be earned.

Time will tell what could be earned by a running back now on his third team since last fall.