BREAKING: Falcons Select Longhorns RB Bijan Robinson With No. 8 Pick in NFL Draft
AUSTIN - Since he walked off of the field for the final time at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium last season, there has been one question surrounding Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson.
Which team would pick him in the NFL Draft? The Dallas Cowboys? The Philadephia Eagles? The Buffalo Bills? Or perhaps a team entirely off the radar?
And on Thursday, we finally found out the answer to that question, with the Atlanta Falcons selecting Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick. With the Falcons Robinson now comes in as an immediate difference maker, and will likely assume the starting role immediately.
Atlanta entered the conversation late, and will now have their running back of the future.
Last season with the Longhorns, Robinson rushed 258 times for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns, while catching 19 passes for 314 yards and two more scores in 12 games.
In 2021, despite missing the final two games of the season with a dislocated elbow, Robinson was almost as good, carrying the ball 195 times for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 26 catches for 295 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
In his career, Robinson averaged 6.3 yards per rush, finishing fourth on the Longhorns' all-time rushing list with 3,410 yards, despite playing in nine fewer games than Earl Campbell (4,443 yards) and 18 fewer games than Cedric Benson (5,540 yards) and Ricky Williams (6,279 Yards).
Now, he takes those talents to the Falcons, where he has a chance to become the same type of difference-maker both on and off the field that he did in Austin.
You can view NFL Draft Bible's scouting report of Robinson below:
Listed at an excellent 6-0 and 221 pounds on the Longhorns’ roster, the Arizona native can immediately serve as a primary back in the NFL. Robinson boasts stellar linear and lateral burst with angle-beating long speed. He precedes sudden, sharp cuts with salesmanship to force defensive backs into awkward positions. He can and does string cuts together. Further, he has very flexible hips, knees, and ankles that aid his change of direction. His impressive balance is evident through his cuts and through contact. What’s more, Robinson has the power and leg drive to run through tackles and even carry defenders with him.
He drops his pad level in anticipation of contact and runs with a natural forward lean that offers increased power and momentum while simultaneously reducing the surface area that opponents can target. Additionally, Robinson is an instinctive runner who knows how to take advantage of poor angles and avoid big hits. He is a patient back who is rarely tackled for loss. Robinson is also a high-level route runner with reliable hands; he can work from the backfield, the slot, and out wide.
All in all, Bijan Robinson is an elite offensive weapon that offers low-risk, high-reward potential in the NFL. If he can improve as a blocker and stay healthy, he can be a truly special back in the league.
You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan
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