Longhorns Bijan Robinson To Be Used 'The Right Way' With Falcons

Bijan Robinson will be more than your average one-trick running back with the Atlanta Falcons

All it took was a 20-second clip to make the internet lose its mind when thinking of the role Bijan Robinson will play in the NFL. 

Lined up at slot receiver during 7-on-7 drills, Robinson, the former Texas phenom, quickly pivoted to the outside with his right foot and cut back in. The ball traveled just out of frame, though Robinson's airborne heroics drove the overshot pass back into frame. 

Since the Atlanta Falcons elected to take a risk on drafting the former Longhorns runner, critics have wondered how Robinson would fit in the third-ranked rushing offense. Would he be just another ground-and-pound tailback to pair alongside Ty Allgeier? Was hidden inside Robinson's hips a mix of Nick Chubb and Alvin Kamara? 

Maybe. That's for the coaching staff to find out. As for Robinson, he's entrusted Falcons coach Arthur Smith to use him "the right way" in hopes of bringing Atlanta its first division title since 2016. 

"He uses me everywhere, from receiver to running back," Robinson told reporters of his role during early minicamp. "He lets me do my abilities and skill set the right way, whether it's catching the ball, running routes, obviously running the football, blocking and doing it all."

#7 is working! pic.twitter.com/VggNqYPv1w

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 12, 2023

Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in last month's draft, is a weapon. Smith sees it that way. So does general manager Terry Fontenot. His best assets are working in the backfield, but that shouldn't pigeonhole him to being a one-type prospect.  

The reigning Doak Walker Award winner proved during his three seasons in Austin that the value of the running back is in the eyes of the beholder. He rushed for 3,410 yards and scored 33 touchdowns as a runner. As a receiver, Robinson tacked on 60 catches for 804 yards and averaged 13.4 yards per reception. 

Production-wise, Atlanta expects to be getting an all-around playmaker that will mesh with the young corps of offensive talent. In the last two drafts, the Falcons have followed the "best player available" method, drafting receiver Drake London (2022) and tight end Kyle Pitts (2021) with top-10 selections. 

“Drake and Kyle are two great players for the team and for the NFL because they do things the right way at their positions,” Robinson said. “Hopefully, I can learn from them in practices and even off the field to see how they became successful in their games, so I can become successful with my game.”

Robinson plans on spending the next several weeks head-first in the Falcons' playbook. He also expects to build relationships with Allgeier and do-it-all playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson.

Allgeier, who became the first Atlanta running back since Devonta Freeman in 2016 to rush for 1,000 regular-season yards, is still expected to have a lofty role on offense. Robinson views himself as a complementary piece rather than a replacement and has already connected with Allgeier via FaceTime. 

"It was all love from the start," Robinson said. "I was just like, 'Yo, bro, like, I'm just happy to be here. Happy to get to work with you and kind of pick your brain on certain things and be a guy that will just compete, and we'll both have fun in that offense.'"

There's extensive expectations for Robinson entering his rookie season. He's the preseason favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. After signing his four-year fully guaranteed deal worth $21.96 million, the former Longhorn now ranks top-15 in annual salary. 

Robinson's mind is fixated elsewhere. It's nothing new after being compared to generational talents during his time at Texas. Keeping the outside noise has always been natural due to his faith. 

"I know that God has a plan for me. And if it's to do those kinds of things, then that's what I'm going to do. But I do know that I'm going to work as hard as I can to be the best football player, and the best teammate that I can be and then obviously get everything down the right way when it comes to the playbook and my assignments and know what I'm supposed to do." 

Along the way, the highlight reels should continue to rack up like the yards produced at Royal-Memorial Stadium. 

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