Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson catches 26-yard TD

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 26, 2023 3:58 PM ET

Rookie running back Bijan Robinson tilts the field for the Atlanta Falcons.

Against the New Orleans Saints, the eighth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft caught a 26-yard TD from QB Desmond Ridder, giving Atlanta a 21-12 lead with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. Thus far, Robinson has 17 touches (14 carries, three receptions) for 100 yards and two TDs.

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Robinson has excelled during his first season. Entering Week 12, he leads the Falcons in touches (154), yards from scrimmage (820) and TDs (four). As of Sunday, oddschecker gives him the fourth-best odds (+4000) of winning Offensive Rookie of the Year behind Los Angeles' Puka Nacua, Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Houston's C.J. Stroud.

Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith has been pleased by his progress. On Wednesday, he said Robinson has "exceeded expectations" this season. Don't be surprised if the 21-year-old becomes Atlanta's main attraction and one of the league's best running backs for a long time.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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