Mel Kiper Jr. Sends Texas RB Bijan Robinson to Bills in New ESPN NFL Mock Draft
INDIANAPOLIS -- Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson is a top-10 talent in the 2023 NFL Draft. Will he end up being a top-10 pick? Not according to one mock draft.
In the latest mock draft by ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., Robinson lands in what could be considered an "ideal" situation as the new lead back for the Buffalo Bills at pick No. 30. Robinson was the first — and only — running back selected in the first round on Kiper's latest mock draft.
Robinson is a top-10 prospect just based on talent in this draft, but it was tough finding a perfect fit for him. Teams (rightly) aren't taking running backs in the top 10 anymore, choosing instead to find values in the middle and late rounds. While I agree with that strategy, there comes a point in Round 1 in which it does make sense to snag a running back as talented as Robinson, and that's here. The Bills could get a complete back -- Robinson is stellar between the tackles and has great hands as a pass-catcher -- and a player who can make quarterback Josh Allen's life easier.This is a way for the Buffalo offense to take the next step.
If general manager Brandon Beane passes on Robinson, keep an eye on the offensive linemen. Guard O'Cyrus Torrence (Florida) is a mauler in the run game who could start immediately. - ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
On talent and production alone, Robinson could be one of the "safest picks" in the draft. A three-year starter for the Longhorns, the reigning Doak Walker Award winner was about as consistent as they come, posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in his final two years on the Forty Acres.
For years, the narrative has been that running backs no longer carry the same value as in seasons past due to the uptick of passing plays at the next level, and should only be taken in the first round as a "luxury pick." For Buffalo, adding Robinson would fortify a run game that ranked seventh in yards (139.5 yards per game) and second in yards per play (5.2).
Fourth-year pro Devin Singletary is set to hit free agency on March 15, leaving second-year standout James Cook as one of two options in the backfield. Last season, Singletary rushed for a team-high 819 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Josh Allen ranked second in rushing yards with 762 and averaged a team-high 6.1 yards per run.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane mentioned Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he wouldn't be opposed to taking a running back with their first selection if the board played out that way, but all positions would be on the table.
"You can still take a running back in the first round," Beane said. "I've talked about it before. Guys like Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffery ... those types of guys are clearly weapons, some of the things we're talking about. You do have position values, but there are guys who are on lower-value positions that still belong in the first round.
Robinson will meet with the media on Friday at the Indianapolis Convention Center before testing at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
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