Falcons Taking RB Bijan Robinson Biggest NFL Draft Surprise?
The Atlanta Falcons were linked to Texas running back Bijan Robinson before the NFL Draft, but many didn't think that the team would pull the trigger on taking him with several other needs across the board.
However, the Falcons surprised many by taking Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick. The move ranked No. 9 on Bleacher Report's list of biggest draft surprises.
"It was still surprising to see the Falcons be the team to take the plunge," Bleacher Report writes. "Because they are fixing something that wasn't broken."
The Falcons' rushing attack was far from broken in 2022, running for the third-most yards in the NFL in a backfield led by Tyler Allgeier, who set the rookie record for rushing yards in a season.
Despite Allgeier's success, it didn't stop the Falcons from taking Robinson with their first pick, despite having the 27th-best defense in the league.
"The Falcons badly needed help on the edge, more passing game weapons and improvements to a secondary that allowed the eighth-most passing yards in 2022," Bleacher Report writes. "Oh, and the quarterback situation is a massive question mark."
Eventually, the Falcons addressed help on defense and the secondary in the middle of the draft by taking Ohio State EDGE Zach Harrison and Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III, but Atlanta could look back on this draft as a missed opportunity if the defense doesn't improve.
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