Jaguars rookie running back James Robinson snubbed from Pro Bowl

Today, the NFL released its Pro Bowl rosters for the 2021 Pro Bowl, expected to take place virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. On the roster included several talented, and worthy players, however Jaguars rookie running back James Robinson was not among the chosen few.

Robinson, an undrafted rookie out of Illinois State, quickly became the centerpiece of the team’s offense this season after working as the third-string running back through much of training camp. As the season inched closer, Robinson was given an opportunity following the surprising release of RB Leonard Fournette and an injury to RB Devine Ozigbo.

This season, Robinson accounted for 240 rushes for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 49 receptions for 344 yards and three touchdowns. His 1,070 rushing yards ranks third in the NFL behind Tennessee’s Derrick Henry at 1,679 yards and Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, who ranks second in the league with 1,484 rushing yards.

According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson ranks fourth in the NFL with 54 first downs. He ranks third in the NFL with 31 rushes of 10 or more yards.

His total of 1,414 yards from scrimmage ranks fourth in the NFL this season behind Alvin Kamara (Saints, 1,516), Henry (1,793) and Cook (1,833). His yards from scrimmage total is the most ever by an undrafted free agent rookie in NFL history since the common era.

Simply put, Robinson deserved to earn a Pro Bowl nod during his rookie season.

Throughout the season, Robinson has been praised for his efforts, and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has recently stated that without him, he’s not sure where the offense would be.

“Oh shoot, that’d be pretty difficult,” Gruden said in early December when asked where the offense would be without Robinson. “He’s done great. We really lean on him quite a bit. He’s been close to 100 yards many times. He’s helped us out in the play action game. The Collin Johnson touchdown was a play action pass which helped sucked the linebackers up and get Collin behind them.

“Without that threat of a running game, we’re dropping back and throwing it a lot and we have zero chance, so James is quite pivotal in our offense as far as being able to keep defenses honest, and the production that he has both in the running game and the passing game.”

The Jaguars will enter this year’s Pro Bowl with 0 players to represent the team, and there will be no alternates this year due to the event taking place entirely virtually.