Denard Robinson used to play quarterback at the University of Michigan but now he is a running back on the Jacksonville Jaguars and he's a pretty good one. A year ago Robinson led the Jaguars in rushing yards and even though they drafted T.J. Yeldon in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft Robinson may be the best bet to start the season as the starting running back, according to Mike DiRocco of ESPN.
In Friday night's preseason loss to the Detroit Lions Yeldon was used as a three-down back with Robinson coming in as a change of pace back but it was Robinson who impressed much more than Yeldon did. DiRocco says that it is clear right now that Robinson is a better back than Yeldon even though Yeldon will likely be better in the future. In the game, which was Yeldon's first action, he rushed eight times for just ten yards and missed open holes to run through although he did also score a touchdown. Robinson, on the other hand, rushed three times for seven yards.
At some point this season it is extremely likely that Yeldon becomes the number one back and gets the bulk of the carries but the Jaguars may want to ease him into that role. Robinson is entering his third season in the NFL and has had some success as shown by his 4.2 yards per carry in the past two seasons. There is still a chance that Yeldon could open the year as the starting running back but based on performance that doesn't seem like the wise way to go.
Aside from Yeldon and Robinson the Jaguars also have Toby Gerhart on the roster who may see goal-line and short yardage work which would take away carries from the other two. Gerhart likely isn't a factor to see starters carries though.
Fans of the Jaguars may be clamoring for Yeldon to start because they know he is the future of the team but right now Robinson seems like the better choice. Yeldon may be the guy in the future but if the Jaguars want to put their best team out there on week one that would mean Robinson as the starting running back. Robinson rushed for 582 yards and four touchdowns a season ago and is capable of making plays out of the backfield.
