Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
3 Observations on Jaguars Releasing Keilan Robinson
Dec 1, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) warms up before a game Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Jacksonville Jaguars have not been shy about moving on from the previous regime's investments, and it continued this week with the release of running back Keilan Robinson.

So, what do we make of Robinson's release? We break it down below.

The writing was on the wall after the draft

It always seemed like Robinson was going to be on the bubble for the Jaguars' new staff, and this became even more evident when the Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen in the 2025 NFL Draft. With those rookies and entrenched veterans like Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, it was tough to see a spot for a fifth running back.

Injuries played a big part in Robinson's departure as well. He has been healthy all offseason, but an injury during training camp last year limited him to six games. By the time he was healthy, the season was lost and the Jaguars didn't seem all that interested in giving him chances on offense. He was the victim of some bad circumstances, but that is what happens when there is a regime change.

This is unlikely to be the first 2024 draft pick to be moved on from

Robinson is the first recent Trent Baalke draft pick the Jaguars are moving on from, but it seems unlikely he will be the last. To be more specific, it seems unlikely he will even be the last member of the 2024 draft class who the new regime of James Gladstone and Liam Coen look to move on from before Week 1.

Other players whose spots seem, at best, undefined right now consist of De'Antre Prince, Javon Foster and Myles Cole. Foster might have the toughest path to making the roster after how many offensive linemen the Jaguars added. Either way, the 2024 class appears to be firmly on notice entering the final stretch of the offseason program.

Returner role is wide open

Considering how the Jaguars stacked the running back position during the draft process, the only way there really seemed to be a chance for Keilan Robinson to make the Jaguars' roster was as a return specialist. This is exactly the role he was drafted for and he never got much of a chance to show off his skills in 2025, but the Jaguars seemingly have other ideas.

With Robinson no longer an option as a returner, it remains a wide-open battle to see who might return kicks and punts for the Jaguars this season. Bhayshul Tuten and Parker Washington are interesting options right off the top of the list, and they could be the two favorites as the Jaguars wrap up their offseason program.

Follow us on X right now to get into the conversation on Robinson @JaguarsOnSI and @_John_Shipley.

Get into the debate now on Robinson by following our Facebook WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE


This article first appeared on Jacksonville Jaguars on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Raiders staff 'changed their mind' on Jackson Powers-Johnson
NFL

Raiders staff 'changed their mind' on Jackson Powers-Johnson

First-year head coach Pete Carroll is tinkering with the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive line early in training camp. On Tuesday, second-year offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson was moved to the second-team unit at center, with Jordan Meredith handling the first-team reps, per Tashan Reed of The Athletic. On Thursday, Powers-Johnson was moved to the first-team right guard. The Raiders initially wanted Powers-Johnson to play at center in the upcoming season, but "changed their mind" when they released veteran Andre James in March. "Powers-Johnson started games at guard last year, but the intent was for him to lock in on center after the team released Andre James this offseason," Reed wrote. "That was the case through OTAs, but the staff changed their mind once training camp got rolling. "According to coach Pete Carroll, the logic is Meredith is too small to play guard but holds up well at center. They signed Alex Cappa to start at right guard, but Powers-Johnson is a superior option there." Meredith, a six-foot-two, 300-pound athlete, is decidedly much smaller than the six-foot-three, 328-pound Powers-Johnson. Carroll believes the competition between Meredith and Powers-Johnson this summer will ultimately make the team better. "It's the heart of everything," Carroll told reporters on Thursday regarding the battle at center between Meredith and Powers-Johnson, via video from Taylor Rocha. "These guys are battling for their playing time... JPJ is working his tail off, and both those guys are battling, so it just makes us better." It's hard to see the Raiders benching Powers-Johnson if Meredith earns the starting center job. He should at least earn the starting right guard job after he made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2024. He is too talented not to start for Las Vegas.

Yankees beef up bullpen by acquiring ex-Pirates closer
MLB

Yankees beef up bullpen by acquiring ex-Pirates closer

Much-needed bullpen help has arrived for the New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers are acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar in exchange for three prospects, with the full trade first reported by MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Yankees entered play on July 31 with a 4.24 bullpen ERA, which ranked 21st in MLB. Therefore, David Bednar represents a significant upgrade for a unit that sorely needed one. It's been a remarkable in-season turnaround for Bednar, who is only a few months removed from posting a 5.14 ERA in nine April appearances and nearly being ousted as Pirates closer. Since then, the veteran reliever has excelled, with a 1.61 ERA from May 1 onward. Pittsburgh turns Bednar, who has one year of arbitration remaining, into three solid prospects, headlined by catcher Rafael Flores, the Yankees' No. 8 prospect. The Pirates also received 14th-ranked prospect Edgleen Perez, who receives high marks for his bat as a catcher. The third prospect heading to the Steel City is outfielder Brian Sanchez, who is unranked but currently at Single-A. The price for controllable relievers has been high, to be sure. But it was one the Yankees needed to pay with both Luke Weaver and Devin Williams struggling, while righty Fernando Cruz tends to injury. With Bednar now in the fold, New York can feel much more secure in closing out games, leaving the others to set up roles as the Yankees attempt to chase down the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays. Meanwhile, this trade marks the second significant piece that the Pirates have moved leading up to the deadline, with third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes being dealt to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday.

Rangers Interested in Veteran Outfielder To Boost Offensive Ceiling
MLB

Rangers Interested in Veteran Outfielder To Boost Offensive Ceiling

As the trade deadline gets closer, the Texas Rangers appear to be eyeing a player from the Pittsburgh Pirates to help improve their team. After hanging around the .500 mark for much of the season, the Rangers have found their groove and are firmly in the playoff picture in the American League. More News: Three Potential Rangers Targets to Watch on Final Day of MLB Trade Deadline With a desire to make the playoffs, Texas has to think about making a couple of improvements to their roster before the deadline based on how active some other contenders have been around the league. Currently, the two most glaring needs for the Rangers are the backend of their bullpen and adding some sort of offensive upgrade, which could be a bat in the outfield. More News: Rangers Likely to Face Eugenio Suarez After Mariners Acquire Slugger According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Texas was looking to improve both areas in a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates before David Bednar was reportedly sent to the New York Yankees. While Bednar would have been a good fit for the Rangers, they should still be pursuing Tommy Pham to help improve a lackluster lineup. The veteran outfielder is no stranger to being traded, and he tends to provide a nice spark down the stretch. So far this year, he's also been a solid player, slashing .273/.342/.380 with four home runs and 29 RBI in 77 games played. More News: Rangers Trade Reliever To Tigers in Deadline Day Deal Adding Pham would give Texas another solid offensive weapon and provide some needed depth for the lineup. However, continuing to try to improve the back end of the bullpen should be a priority. With Bednar being off the board, the Rangers are starting to run out of potential impact options to help in that area. For more Rangers news, head over to Rangers On SI.

Nolan Arenado Has Decision to Make After Cardinals-Mets Trade
MLB

Nolan Arenado Has Decision to Make After Cardinals-Mets Trade

The St. Louis Cardinals are tearing down their roster in a seller’s market with a clear goal of competing in the future after falling out of playoff contention. On Wednesday, St. Louis dealt All-Star closer Ryan Helsley to the New York Mets for three minor-league prospects: shortstop Jesus Baez and right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. With the Cardinals signaling a rebuild by acquiring players still years from the big leagues, third baseman Nolan Arenado recently met with President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak to discuss his future. The 34-year-old star holds a full no-trade clause in his contract, giving him the right to veto any deal, though he’s already named a list of acceptable destinations. Arenado now faces a decision: expand his list of acceptable destinations, request a move to a contender or remain with St. Louis as they reset their roster. “We’ll see. I’ve got some things to take care of first,” Arenado said via MLB.com’s John Denton. “It’ll probably be fine [without a trade], but we’ll let it play out and see where it goes.” Since joining the Cardinals before the 2021 season, he’s earned three straight All-Star selections to open his tenure. In 697 games in St. Louis, Arenado owns a .266 batting average, .779 OPS, 116 home runs and 415 RBIs. Arenado has two years remaining on his deal after 2025, making his choice one of baseball’s most substantial decisions this July. With the trade deadline fast approaching, his decision could accelerate the Cardinals’ rebuilding timeline.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!