Getty Image / Todd Kirkland
The Atlanta Falcons have a lot invested into running back Bijan Robinson. Rarely do running backs get drafted as high as Bijan Robinson did, as he went eighth-overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
At the University of Texas, Bijan Robinson absolutely dominated. He had just shy of 2000 yards from scrimmage his final year in Austin, and was considered one of the best running back prospects in decades.
Robinson was good as a rookie, but probably not to the level many expected. He had 976 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground and another 487 yards and four touchdowns receiving.
Again, that’s a very good season. But, it feels like there’s a lot more in the tank for Bijan Robinson. There’s not a single skill at the running back position that he lacks.
But, the offensive gameplans by now-fired head coach and play caller Arthur Smith did not play to his strengths, or to any of the strengths of other highly-drafted Falcons playmakers.
Robinson had 214 carries on the year and Tyler Allgeier had 186. I understand that few guys in the NFL are true bell cow backs these days. But, there’s no way that those two should be splitting carries almost 50/50. That makes no sense. Plus, first-round pass catchers Kyle Pitts and Drake London combined to only catch 122 passes. That’s not nearly enough.
But, Arthur Smith is gone, replaced by Raheem Morris. They brought in former Rams quarterback coach Zac Robinson to be the offensive coordinator and playcaller. He will almost certainly put Robinson and co. in better positions to succeed.
Bijan Robinson seems to think so. He thinks he could have a 2000-yard season next year.
“I want 2,000 yards rushing,” Robinson told Sports Illustrated earlier this month. “I know those are big expectations, what we can do as an offense, with all the weapons, our O-line, with Zac being at the helm, it can be something special.
“I think it’s going to be one of those special seasons that Atlanta’s been waiting for us and all of us as players have been waiting for. So, let’s get it.”
I appreciate his enthusiasm. But, there have only been eight 2000-yard seasons in NFL history. It seems pretty unlikely that Bijan Robinson will get enough touches to do that. After all, that’s 400 carries at 5.0 yards per attempt. But, he could certainly lead the league in rushing yards.
In 2023, Christian McCaffrey led the league in rushing with 1459 yards. Nobody else had over 1200 yards. Bijan could definitely get in that 1300-1500 range.