Atlanta Falcons‘ running back Bijan Robinson was highly touted in the 2023 NFL Draft coming out of the University of Texas. He was praised as a three-down back who could do it all.
And it’s true, after a so-so rookie season of 976 yards rushing and four touchdowns, he broke out for 1,456 and 14 TDs in a sophomore effort that also included 61 catches for 431 yards and another score. And now he’s getting that recognition league wide, making the NFL’s Top 100 List at No. 62.
“Bijan, he’s definitely one of those rare breeds. He’s tough to deal with,” said the NFL’s favorite Honey Badger and former Saints safety Tyran Mathieu, via Sports Illustrated. He also noted that Robinson is one of the toughest players in the league to game plan for.
It’s amazing what can happen when the Falcons actually lean on him and use him. In his rookie season, there were numerous times where he wasn’t even in the game inside the 20-yard line. If someone can explain that, I’m all ears.
Bijan Robinson is “the next great one” on Top 100
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had a season for the ages in 2024, and he thinks the world of Bijan.
“I think Bijan’s the next great one. Bijan’s definitely the next great one,” Barkley said.
Robinson’s 2024 teammates chimed in as well.
“Bijan with the ball is pure poetry,” defensive end Matthew Judon said. “He got everything to be a great back in this league for years to come. Scary that it was only his second year.”
Of course, his offensive linemen love him too. Heck, probably more so than anyone else.
“Bijan’s the best. I mean, I don’t think there’s a better human being, better teammate,” Chris Lindstrom said.
Based on these comments he sounds like Gandhi and Walter Payton all wrapped up into one.
Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith went a bit too far with his praise
It’s understandable that no player on the Top 100 List will get slagged by his peers. In fact, if you look at how players talk about other guys even ranked in the 90s, you’d think they were the best to ever play their position. It’s the nature of these lists and it’s expected.
But, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith had to take it a bit too far. Former Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson did things athletically on an NBA court that were not of this world. So, Bijan’s former teammate making that comparison is…a bit much.
“The best definition I can give Bijan is he’s [Allen Iverson] with the ball in his hands,” Smith said. “The way he’s able to manipulate cuts, it doesn’t look like that’s things that the human body can do.”
Easy there, touchdown. Tap the brakes. Bijan is an incredible running back, but Iverson is a generational talent that had rules changed for him. Bijan might get there eventually, but it’s only been two years so let’s – as Bill Parcells would say – put the “anointing oil” away.
However, if Bijan puts together a few seasons like he had last year, it might actually be time to break out that anointing oil.
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