Key Takeaways:
– Austin Ekeler’s signing by the Washington Commanders doesn’t mean the end of the road for Brian Robinson Jr.
– Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could shape Robinson into a running back similar to James Conner.
– Mosher’s comparison of Robinson with Conner suggests potential for Robinson to post huge numbers in 2024.
– Kliff Kingsbury’s balanced approach offense could greatly benefit Robinson.
– Ticket to the Pro Bowl season may not be far off for Robinson given Kingsbury’s love for a running game near the goal line.
James Conner’s Success: A Blueprint for Robinson
In light of Austin Ekeler’s move to the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL free agency, it’s speculated that Brian Robinson Jr might find himself on the sidelines. However, according to predictions by Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team, Robinson isn’t set for mere benchwarmer duties. Instead, Robinson might fit the mold of what James Conner was for the Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Conner was no ordinary running back under Kingsbury’s watch at Arizona Cardinals. Despite being a non-starting back, he managed to score 18 touchdowns in 15 games in 2021. The numbers are remarkable, knowing Conner was part of a team with Kingsbury’s balanced approach and Air Raid offensive style.
Analyzing Ekeler’s Role Upfront, Assessing Robinson’s
Ekeler’s addition to the Commanders brings obvious excitement. But Mosher sees more in Robinson’s potential to replicate Conner’s exploits. To draw parallels between Conner and Robinson, Mosher underlined that Robinson possesses similar traits to Conner in spite of his young age, adding an edge of explosiveness which hints at possibly greater gains in 2024.
Look no further than Conner’s 7.2-yards-after-contact per run against the New England Patriots in 2022 which set his personal season high. Much like Conner, Robinson has an impressive average of 1.9 yards after contact and 16 tackle breaks in 2023. This rush after contact ability could mimic Conner’s plentiful touchdown harvest under Kingsbury.
The Need for Balance in Commanders’ Strategy
Looking back at the 2023 season where Eric Bieniemy governed the Commanders’ style of play with an over-reliance on quarterback Sam Howell’s passing sees Mosher posit that Kingsbury must work towards bringing an equilibrium this time around. The Commanders should harness the strength of wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, while also capitalizing on tight end Zach Ertz and Ekeler’s skills in each slot. Robinson’s collaboration with quarterback Jayden Daniels would further strengthen their game by adding a cerebral element to their brute force approach.
Under Kingsbury, Conner’s career graphed a success story thanks to a tactful blend of balanced offensive play, stretching the gridiron with aerial passes, yet leaving plenty of space for the running game. Like the score against the Green Bay Packers shows, Conner performed best when running against light defense, proving how the diversified offense complemented the running game.
The Future for Robinson
While Ekeler coming onboard with the Commanders has stoked much anticipation, Robinson’s game isn’t about to be overshadowed. Akin to Conner, Robinson’s breakaway talents are well-suited for Kingsbury’s strategies. As the Commanders move into the next season, rivals must keep a keen eye for Robinson charging across to find the end zone.