The Atlanta Falcons didn’t necessarily need Texas running back Bijan Robinson. But the Falcons selected Robinson with the intention of adding the best offensive weapon they could find.
It’s safe to say Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine was a fan of the selection.
Despite Robinson having yet to play a down, Ballentine ranked the Falcons at No. 4 on his list of the best running backs in the NFL.
“Robinson’s receiving skills and dynamic ability in the open field are going to make him a fun watch on Sundays,” Ballentine wrote. “It also means there’s room for him to thrive while still keeping Tyler Allgeier involved.
“The 2022 fifth-round pick averaged 4.9 yards per carry while tallying just 1,000 rushing yards last season.
“The Falcons will once again have one of the best rushing attacks in the league next season. If Robinson is able to live up to the hype, this offense is going to be as dangerous as the combination of Robinson and Allgeier allows them to be.”
There’s plenty to look forward to with Robinson. Through offseason workouts, the Falcons have lined up the rookie running back everywhere on the field. The expectation is that head coach Arthur Smith will maximize his versatility immediately.
But one could argue the Falcons have a top five NFL running back duo with Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Patterson has rushed for 1,313 yards and posted 670 receiving yards in the last two seasons with the Falcons. He turned 32 in March, so there’s a narrative around the veteran that he is set to slow down soon.
But, Patterson doesn’t have the normal wear and tear for a running back his age. He didn’t have more than 70 carries in a season until he arrived in Atlanta during 2021.
In the modern NFL, it’s difficult to feed three running backs. But both Robinson and Patterson should have opportunities as receivers this fall.
And with Allgeier, Robinson and Patterson, if Ballentine’s goal had been to rank the best three-headed monsters at running back in the NFL, it’s hard to envision the Falcons not sitting at No. 1.
