The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday signed running back James Robinson to the 53-man roster, and this could potentially spell trouble for A.J. Dillon. Robinson was a free agent recently and was with the New York Giants during the 2023 preseason. A season ago, James Robinson was with the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He had 110 total carries last season and rushed for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson averaged 3.8 yards per carry a season ago with both teams. This signing is going to at least provide depth for the Packers running back room. Also, can this signing potentially be the final straw for AJ Dillon?
Freddie Boston of lombardiave.com said about the possibility of James Robinson being an upgrade over AJ Dillon:
“Signing James Robinson is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Packers. He was previously an excellent starting running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he has struggled to regain his best form since suffering a torn Achilles in 2021. The Packers are giving him an opportunity. Initally, he will provide depth to the running back room. That’s important after the team moved on from Patrick Taylor. Before his injury, Robinson had a 1,000-yard rookie season with the Jaguars despite going undrafted. There’s reason for optimism. In his return from the Achilles injury, Robinson rushed for 340 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt, in seven games for the Jaguars before they traded him to the New York Jets. But he has failed to make an impact since leaving Jacksonville. If Robinson can recapture his previous form, the Packers may have an upgrade on AJ Dillon.”
Robinson, at the current moment, is third on the depth chart for the Packers. Dillon is currently second, and Aaron Jones is currently first. The fanbase has complained about Dillon’s play this season, and Jones has been dealing with hamstring issues.
Green Bay Packers May Wind Up Trading AJ Dillon For Nothing Come October 31
It will be very interesting to see how the running backs split carries over the next two games against the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings before the October 31 NFL trade deadline. If Aaron Jones is healthy for the Denver game and he should be available, he will be the number one running back. Everyone will have their eyes on who will get carries after Jones.
For the moment, it should be Dillon, but if James Robinson gets the carries right away over him, that will be very telling. AJ Dillon is a free agent at the end of the season. He may not be a part of the Packers’ plans past 2023 anyway. Robinson and Dillon are both 25 years old.
It is very possible that they play AJ Dillon more over the next two weeks to get some trade value out of him. It is also possible that general manager Brian Gutekunst trades Dillon for basically nothing.
