5 dream scenarios for Falcons in 2023 season

No. 3 dream scenario for Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson runs for 1,200 yards

You don’t use the No. 8 pick on a running back in 2023 unless you’re convinced that running back is a true one-of-one workhorse. Bijan Robinson certainly fits the bill; there was very little controversy around the Falcons’ pick. Everyone who watched him at Texas came away with the same impression: this dude is unstoppable.

Listed at six feet and 215 pounds, Bijan is built like a tank with the maneuverability of a Porsche. He can power through tackles at the line of scrimmage just as easily as he side-steps and evades defenders in the open field. He can fight for yards after contact, or he can simply avoid the contact altogether. The Falcons will expect immediate and significant contributions from Robinson.

How exactly Robinson fits in Atlanta’s offense will be interesting. The Falcons have been one of the most balanced running back teams in the NFL under Arthur Smith. It was by committee last year with Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson. Atlanta hasn’t really been keen to operate with a three-down workhorse like Robinson.

Fewer teams are nowadays, and yet that’s really the only justifiable reason to spend your top-10 pick on a running back. One has to imagine Robinson will be the feature back with the occasional cameo from Allgeier and Patterson depending on play type. The Falcons will probably run a lot of two-back looks as well. Patterson is a tremendous pass-catcher. Robinson is taking receiver reps in practice. There’s a lot of potential flexibility.

All that being said, Robinson is more than capable of tearing off 1,200+ yards in his rookie season. It’s a bit of a stretch to say he could lead the NFL in rushing yards — Derrick Henry still exists, as do Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, and last season’s yards leader, Josh Jacobs. But the Falcons expect Bijan to join that class of power-runner sooner than later.