Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson is the best running back prospect to enter the NFL Draft in years, and teams will want to add his elite talent to their rosters. While most teams are no longer drafting running backs in the first round, Bijan Robinson is special, so there is a strong chance he’ll go off the board at some point in the back half of the first round.
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Bijan Robinson is the best RB prospect since _________ pic.twitter.com/DLR9fJFE2y
— PlaymakerU (@playmakerU) April 20, 2023
Top 6 Teams That Could Draft Bijan Robinson, Ranked
Philadelphia Eagles
Rashaad Penny is a good running back when he’s actually on the field, but that doesn’t happen too often. After losing Miles Sanders in free agency, Philadelphia does not have a reliable Plan B for if injury strikes. Even if Penny can make it through the first full season of his career, he’s only on a one-year deal and is not the long-term answer at the position. Bijan Robinson would thrive behind this offensive line and would stand a decent shot at leading the league in rushing as a rookie in this environment.
Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler is not the happiest camper right now, and it’s safe to assume that he will not be around in 2024. The Chargers need to get younger at the position, and if Bijan Robinson is still on the board at pick 21, then Los Angeles will probably select him. First-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore comes from Dallas, a team that clearly values the running back position, so perhaps his influence will help determine this selection.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills still need to find a way to fix their running game. Damien Harris is not a notable improvement on Devin Singletary, but Bijan Robinson sure is. Teams will always be worried about stopping the pass as long as Josh Allen is under center, which means that Robinson should be able to take advantage of lighter boxes. As an added bonus, his physical style of play should be even more effective in the freezing climate of Buffalo.
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara will likely serve a significant suspension in 2023, and he isn’t getting any younger. The Saints believe themselves to be true contenders, which means they probably think they could use a first-round pick on a luxury position like running back. Jamaal Williams is a fine role player, but Bijan Robinson is a much more talented player that should be able to immediately take starting duties for this team. The Saints love having two competent running backs, and these two could be the updated version of the Kamara-Ingram duo from the late 2010’s.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are always going to be a pass-first team as long as Patrick Mahomes is under center. However, if they actually fix their running attack, this elite offense could somehow be even more dangerous. Isiah Pacheco played well last year, but he’s not nearly as talented as Robinson. It’s hard to imagine a world where Robinson averages less than five yards per carry in this offense, as nobody faces stacked boxes at a lower rate than the Chiefs. If Robinson’s presence brings more defenders into the box, then Mahomes should be able to punish defenses for that decision.
Atlanta Falcons
As great as he is, the Atlanta Falcons are not a team that should draft Bijan Robinson with a top-10 pick. At the end of the day, he is just a running back, and there is only so much value a player can bring at that position. However, Arthur Smith loves running the football, and there is a chance the team throws away positional value and just gets the best player on the board. The Falcons have quietly built a pretty solid offensive line, and Robinson will likely be the focal point of the offense from Day 1.
