5 players Buccaneers should target to replace Sua Opeta after torn ACL
By Brad Smith
Cam Robinson
If the Bucs feel the need to explore the trade market to find a replacement for Opeta, then look no further that Jacksonville's Robinson, who has been a stalwart tackle for the Jaguars since entering the league in 2017.
Robinson, the No. 34 pick in the 2017 draft, has started 84 games at right tackle for Jacksonville, playing over 5,100 snaps. Robinson was even publicly endorsed by head coach Doug Pederson as one of Jacksonville's most important players in 2024.
"He has to -- he's like Trevor (Lawrence) -- he understands that hey, his role is to help this team win and can't put the team, can't put the players, can't put us in situations that he did last year," he said. "Now the injury is out of anybody's control but talking about the suspension, right, and it's about being a pro. And listen, these are conversations that Cam, we know, he's had and we've had, you know. I definitely like having him on the team. He's fun to be around, brings a lot of energy out there and it makes us better."
That said, Robinson has shown considerable improvement since signing a three-year, $54 million contract in May 2021. Per Pro Football Focus, Robinson has earned grades of 67.4, 67.2, and 64.5 over the past three seasons, a visible improvement from marks of 61.7, 54.8, 63.4, and 53.2 from 2020 to 2017.
Although Robinson has been a key piece for Jacksonville's o-line, the Jaguars already have two cheaper and younger options at tackle in 2021 second-round pick Walker Little and 2023 first-round pick Anton Harrison. In addition, the Jaguars signed Trevor Lawrence to a five-year, $200 million extension, meaning they simply won't have the money to sign Robinson to an extension this offseason.
With such a surplus at one of the most important positions in football, Jacksonville could easily try and get something out for Robinson in a trade while he's still under team control until next March. Position versatility would be an issue with Robinson not having experience at guard, but it would be a good problem to have nonetheless.