Falcons Drafting Bijan Robinson Doesn't 'Solve Any Problems,' Says NFL Exec
Did the Atlanta Falcons get better in the NFL Draft? That is the big question everyone will want to ask over the next few weeks in the lead-up to the 2023 season.
A strong showing from their rookie draft class will top off a strong offseason for the Falcons, where they made numerous free-agent signings in the hope of contending for the top spot in the NFC South.
Passing on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the No. 8 pick has garnered plenty of negative reactions from Bulldog fans. At the same time, others see the value in the Falcons taking one of the other top talents in the class with running back Bijan Robinson. A recent article from The Athletic revealed thoughts from other NFL executives on all 32 teams' draft classes.
“I see the perspective of, ‘We are going to run the ball and make Desmond Ridder the best version of himself, which will be to win with him, not because of him, and take the ball out of his hands,” an NFL executive said. “I see what they are trying to do, but it did not solve any problems for them. They had a top rushing offense last year without putting a lot of resources into the running back position. You get a better player, but you have other holes to fill.”
However, fans have plenty of reason for being skeptical about using a top-10 pick on a running back, given how the position's value has declined over the years. Yet as this anonymous person said, the draft is about getting good players, and few could say they are better than Robinson.
“Everyone selected below Bijan probably has fewer first-round grades amongst the 32 teams than Bijan did,” an NFL executive told The Athletic. “Would you rather have a guy at a non-premium position that you feel confident being top three at that position, or a guy that is just going to be OK or carry greater risk? The goal is to draft good players, first and foremost.”
Drafting Carter, Nolan Smith, or Christian Gonzalez would've filled some holes this executive alludes to. And yes, while the Falcons did have a breakout season in former fifth-round running back Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie, they now have another young complement in Robinson.
The Falcons still have question marks on their roster, a big one being upfront on the defensive line, as they ranked second to last in sacks a season ago. While another is at quarterback, what will Desmond Ridder look like in his full year as the starter?
Maybe the Falcons feel like they did enough in free agency to improve upfront by signing veterans in Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree to build off last season. Or it is entirely possible that they didn't feel confident in the edge rushers on the board at that time to pass on a player like Robinson.
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