Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson enters his rookie campaign with a lot to prove.
After being the first running back off the board - and first drafted in the top-10 since Saquon Barkley in 2018 - the Falcons selecting him was a surprise move to the say the least. While Robinson proved to be first-round talent, Atlanta's comes off a 2022 campaign where it posted the league's third-best rushing attack - with last year's fifth-round pick Tyler Allgeier leading the way.
But joining a young offense with first-year starter Desmond Ridder under center, Robinson has all the making of an instant impact rookie according to Heavy.com while drawing comparisons to an all-time great.
“All the people criticizing the Falcons taking Bijan Robinson will be eating crow,” an AFC scout told Heavy during the NFL draft. “Bijan’s the closest thing I’ve seen to Marshall Faulk.”
While Faulk, a Hall of Famer and seven-time Pro Bowler, could be a high bar, Atlanta has not been shy about using Robinson in a variety of offensive roles alongside Ridder, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
"Atlanta has quietly built an exciting young supporting cast around quarterback Desmond Ridder," Heavy writes. "But Robinson not only has the most upside but might play the biggest role in 2023 of any of the young weapons in the Falcons’ offense."
With Robinson joining this young nucleus, the Falcons look to win their first NFC South title since 2016.
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