Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

JACKSONVILLE – This wasn’t the 2017 NFL Draft Cam Robinson expected. But once his name at last was called early Friday evening, Robinson – a left tackle from the University of Alabama – said the disappointment of the night before became optimism for the future. Robinson, projected by many analysts as a first-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, instead lasted into Friday’s Round 2. The Jaguars ended his wait early Friday evening when they made him the second selection of the second round, the No. 34 selection overall. “It was definitely tough,” Robinson said. “Being a competitor, you always want to go as high as you can, but I feel like I was put in this position for a reason. God put me in the position that I am for a reason. “He put me on the team I am for a reason. I’m just ready to get to work.”Robinson (6-feet-6, 320 pounds) watched Thursday night’s first round from the “Green Room” at the draft in Philadelphia. He watched Round 2 Friday at his hotel with his agent and family. Robinson said he had an idea the Jaguars could select him. A group from the organization that included Head Coach Doug Marrone, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin, General Manager David Caldwell and offensive line coach Pat Flaherty worked him out in Tuscaloosa the week before the draft. “I felt like the workout went well,” Robinson said. “I knew they had interest. It was just a matter of time, just waiting it out and seeing where I would go.” Marrone and Caldwell both talked of Robinson’s toughness, and how he’ll fit into the direction of the franchise under Coughlin and Marrone --- a direction that emphasizes toughness and physicality. “He’s got some nasty to him and he’ll look to finish plays,” Caldwell said. “’He’s a big man and he can cover people up pretty quickly.”WHAT’S NEXT The Jaguars hold four selections on Saturday’s Day 3 of the draft, with their first selection scheduled to come in Round 4, the No. 110 selection overall. The Jaguars also hold selections in Round 5 (No. 148 overall), Round 7 (No. 222 overall) and Round 7 (No. 240 overall). They acquired the second seventh-round selection in a March trade with the Miami Dolphins for left tackle Branden Albert. The Jaguars traded their 2017 sixth-round selection – the No. 187 overall selection – to the Seattle Seahawks Friday to move up from No. 35 to No. 34 to select Robinson.NOTABLE One reason the team felt at ease selecting Robinson was a close relationship Marrone has not only with Alabama coach Nick Saban but Alabama offensive line coach Brent Key. Marrone coached Key while an assistant Georgia Tech; Key coached Robinson this past season. “Obviously I have a lot of insight because of the relationship I had,” Marrone said. “We felt very comfortable with the player.” Marrone added of Key, “He knows what I’m looking for and what I like. I need to know if this kid is a tough kid. He said absolutely. We knew a lot because of the relationship I have with Coach Key.” … Robinson has big-time familiarity with the Jaguars’ first-round selection, Louisiana State running back Leonard Fournette. “It’s going to be really cool,” he said. “I’ve known Leonard for a while.” Fournette, who attended New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine, was the No. 1 recruit from the state of Louisiana in the 2014 signing class; Robinson, who attended West Monroe (La.) High School, was the No. 2 player from Louisiana the same year. “It’s going to be fun,” Robinson said. …Fournette toured EverBank Field Friday – a day after his selection in the first round. During the day, he received his new number, No. 27. He had worn No. 7 at LSU. “I mean, I couldn’t get seven,” he said. “So I thought it was the best fit number for me. It looked good on me and I decided to go with it.” … Caldwell said the reason for giving up a sixth-round selection to move up one selection to get Robinson was simple – to prevent another team from doing the same. “There was some talk of that,” Caldwell said. “We felt the value was there to go get him.” …QUOTABLE Quoting the Jaguars from Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft … Marrone on toughness: “That’s what we’re looking for at all the picks. That’s what we’re looking to do with the players here. I talk to the players about that daily: ‘We have to have a practice mentality. We have to have that mentality when we step on the field. The true test is on Sunday. If you have to question whether this team was physical or not then we are not physical.’ That’s how I have always viewed that.” … Fournette: “I feel like [his] humbleness comes from my mother and my father. I was taught like that as a kid, to be humble and be who you are.” … *Fournette: “I came from a winning program at LSU. In high school, [too]. I come from a winning foundation. I think it is time to get back on that track. I think that is what Jacksonville needs – championships. I think I am the guy for the job.” …

Jaguars News | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

Day that was: 2017 NFL Draft, Day 2