Falcons Land 'More Than A Running Back' In Longhorns Bijan Robinson
Sonny Weaver crumpled up a green post-it note that read "Vontae Mack no matter what" as Kevin Coster's fictional general manager of the Cleveland Browns in the even more fictional movie "Draft Day."
You have to wonder if Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot had his own colored sticky note that penned "Bijan Robinson or bust" when on the clock.
Robinson, the pride of Texas football and perhaps the best running back that's entered the draft since Saquon Barkley, waited in the green room at Union Station in Kansas seven picks before hearing his name called by the Falcons with the eighth overall selection. He'll now become the hopeful missing piece of a franchise that's always felt to be a year away from being a year away.
Atlanta, which finished 7-10 back-to-back years under head coach Arthur Smith, became a hot landing destination for Robinson on the mock draft boards in recent weeks. Fontenot, a longtime disciple under New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has followed the notion of drafting the "best player available" over the potential top need.
Robinson, the 45th first-round pick in UT history, was considered by many as the top offensive prospect in this year's class. His vision, speed, quickness, agility, and versatility as a runner and receiving threat could make him one of the league's most dynamic weapons despite being a first-year player.
It's likely what made him Atlanta's first choice despite having a breakout season from rookie Tyler Allgeier. Then again, trusting the run was a staple for Smith's offense in Tennessee that featured human highlight reel, Derrick Henry.
In layman's terms, Henry is a weapon for the Music City franchise. Robinson should be the same in the Big A.
“I mean, obviously, they’re going to try to use me to my full potential, whether it’s catching the ball out of the backfield, lining up in the slot position, and then obviously running back, but just use my skill set in the best way that they can and just let me get mismatches and use my God-given talent to do the rest,” Robinson said Thursday during an on-site press conference. “That’s pretty much how we talked, and it was just great to hear. I love to hear it.”
Few can mirror the production produced by Robinson, who now becomes the first Texas player selected on Day 1 since Malcolm Brown in 2015. In three years — the first of which was restricted by limited touches in an offensive play execution by then-coach Tom Herman — Robinson managed to finish fourth in all-time rushing yards (3,410) and eighth in rushing touchdowns (33).
Last season was one of the ages for Robinson on the Forty Acres. He rushed for a career-high 1,580 yards and scored 20 total touchdowns, second-most among all FBS skill players besides Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda. For his efforts, he was named a consensus All-American and took home the Doak Walker Award.
"Bijan is a really special player," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday night. “As I’ve said all along, he’s a better human being than a football player, which is hard for a lot of guys when you’re that talented. He has unbelievable work ethic, outstanding leadership. He’s team captain worthy and has Pro Bowl ability. He checks all the boxes."
Robinson will have a chance to change Atlanta's football culture. He joins a roster that features not only Allgeier's sledgehammer running style but also a potential up-and-coming tandem of receiving threats in former first-round picks Drake London and Kyle Pitts. His addition should also alleviate some pressure off second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, who hopes to prove to the franchise he can be the long-term answer behind center.
The Falcons didn't draft a running back at pick No. 8. They selected a playmaker. One that could transcend a franchise still fighting off the 28-3 jokes from six years in the past.
"He can run between the tackles, run outside the tackles, make people miss in tight quarters. He’s got great contact balance, is an excellent receiver, and has a high football IQ," said Sarkisian. "You name it; he’s got it."
Those in Austin got a front-row seat to the magic of Robinson for three years. The folks in Atlanta might be gifted the same treat for even longer.
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