IRVING, Texas – What the Cowboys figured would happen has happened: Laurent Robinson has accepted a deal that they just could not afford for a No. 3 wide receiver.

Robinson agreed to a five-year deal with Jacksonville, leaving the Cowboys in search for a wideout to play behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.

In 14 games last season, Robinson caught 54 passes for 858 yards and a team-high 11 touchdowns after joining the team in Week 3. Initially signed Sept. 7, he was cut Sept. 13 because of a hamstring injury and re-signed on Sept. 20.

He quickly blossomed and helped the Cowboys overcome the loss of Austin to a hamstring injury for six games.

Because he signed a “minimum salary benefit” contract the Cowboys were unable to sign him before free agency began Tuesday. The Jaguars quickly pounced and he received interest from a handful of teams.

Robinson had hoped to stay because he knows there is a good fit with Tony Romo, but the economics made for an easy decision.

The Cowboys can look in free agency for some help and Arizona’s Early Doucet is a possibility. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones expressed faith in Andre Holmes, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, but he has not played in a regular-season game. The Cowboys did not tender contracts to Kevin Ogletree, a restricted free agent, or Jesse Holley, an exclusive rights free agent. Raymond Radway missed his rookie season with a broken ankle and Dwayne Harris split time on the active roster and practice squad last year.