Bijan Falcons 'Worst Pick'? Analyst Criticizes Robinson Choice

According to CBS Sports, Texas Longhorns RB Bijan Robinson was the Atlanta Falcons' worst pick of the 2023 NFL Draft

Matt Galatzan | May 1, 2023

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Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night by the Atlanta Falcons, making him the highest-selected Horns alum since Vince Young.

Robinson was also one of the highest-rated prospects in the entire draft and was widely seen as a can't-miss, top-five talent in the class. And with Robinson, not only did the Falcons land the top player on their board, but also a much-needed playmaker on the offensive side of the ball.

However, according to CBS Sports Analyst Pete Prisco, Robinson was the worst pick of the draft for Atlanta, due in large part to the dwindling value of running backs in the NFL.

"This is way too high for a back, even if he's a really good player," said Prisco. "Backs don't decide Super Bowls. I know Arthur Smith loves backs, but this is a deep draft of backs and history isn't kind to this type of move. I don't like it because of position value. Good player, bad position."

However, what Prisco and most NFL 'experts fail to take into account with Robinson is his versatility, which makes him far from just a normal running back.

With the Falcons, yes, Robinson will likely be the bell cow back in the offense, but due to his ability as a pass catcher, he also has the skills to contribute in a Deebo Samuel-like role in the offense, lining up in the slot or even on the outside as a receiver.

Not only that, but Robinson also has the traits to contribute in the return game as well.

In other words, while Robinson is indeed a running back, he is also far more than what CBS Sports is giving him credit for here, as he was able to prove during his stunning three-year career with the Longhorns.

Now, he will look to prove the critics wrong again in the NFL.

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Published May 1, 2023

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writer’s Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014 covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.