Bijan Robinson Is NOT A First Round Caliber Running Back!
The Super Bowl is over and now it’s officially draft season. It’s a bad draft but I just want to get one additional narrative out of the way before we begin any further. You’re out of your mind if you think Bijan Robinson belongs in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Don’t get me wrong; really good player. Prior to the season, I had Robinson as my number one ranked running back heading into the draft. I still believe that to be the case. However, it’s worth noting that there’s just no possible way to justify taking the Texas running back in round one.
Yes, there is talent here, but does Robinson walk on water? That’s what it’s going to take in order to draft another running back in the first round. Christian McCaffrey does. So did Chris Johnson. Robinson does have some receiving production in college. Even his biggest supporters would admit Robinson won’t be nearly as good of a receiver as those last two guys I mentioned previously. That right there should already remove him from first round discussion.
The numbers are what they are. 1,580 yards, 6.1 per carry, and 18 touchdowns. Robinson has the chance to be an every down workhorse and should be a broken tackle machine. Even Derrick Henry went in the second round… Robinson could very easily turn into a top five running back in the league and it’s still an overpay. The modern NFL never rewards teams for overspending at the running back position.
The depth of the running back position also needs to play a factor. It’s a bad receiver draft but it’s a great running back class. Why take Robinson when someone who will make an impact in the 5th round? This class for backs is DEEP. Tank Bigsby, Tyjae Spears, Eric Gray, Kendall Milton, Kenny McIntosh, and Devone Achane are all backs that interest me later in the draft. I even left about four or five off the list for time purposes. You’re going to find someone you like in this draft.
Frankly, I’m not sure how it’s a discussion. Taking Bijan Robinson in round one would be irresponsible for any team. Didn’t people already learn their lesson from the Najee Harris draft? Robinson is a second round back and reaching for him will be a mistake your team will have to live with.
