The Atlanta Falcons surprised a lot of people when they selected running back Bijan Robinson No. 8 in the 2023 NFL Draft. There was no denying his talent, but selecting a running back that high was not something most franchises would agree with.
Around the NFL, teams devalued the running back position, putting as little money and assets into the position as possible. The Falcons took a different approach, committing a top pick to the position.
With Kirk Cousins taking over as the team’s starting quarterback, everyone on offense will benefit. He is a major upgrade over Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, who were inconsistent in their time as starters.
There may not be a player on the offense who benefits more from that change than Bijan Robinson. During his rookie season in the NFL, Bijan Robinson showcased the elite dual-threat ability he possesses.
He carried the ball 214 times for 976 yards and four touchdowns. As a receiver, he caught 58 passes for 487 yards and four more scores.
Heading into Year 2 of his career, his production is expected to take another step forward. Veteran Cordarrelle Patterson is no longer in the mix and the new coaching staff will emphasize getting the ball in Robinson’s hands as much as possible.
One of the people who believe that Bijan Robinson is in for a big season is former star wide receiver Plaxico Burress. During a recent segment on The Carton Show on FS1, Burress made a bold claim about the Texas product heading into 2024.
“Bijan Robinson, with the ball in his hands, I think he’s the best running in football,” Burress said.
That is a comment that will certainly garner some attention in the football world. That is a designation many people would still give San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey.
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year finished third in the MVP voting. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler for the 2023 season as well.
Nearly identical in size to McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson has the size and skill set to be a dominant running back in the NFL. The Falcons are certainly hopeful that their 2023 first-round pick can reach that level at some point as well.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
