Top NFL Draft Running Back Might Not Be Texas Bijan Robinson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht recently said the team wouldn't shy away from a running back if the player were 'special' enough. But that guy might not be Texas Longhorns prospect Bijan Robinson.

Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson has been the top board on every media NFL Draft board for a while now, and if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take a player at that position on Day 1 we all expect it'd be him.

But what if it wasn't, and what if Robinson wasn't the 'special' player Bucs general manager Jason Licht was referring to when he said the team wouldn't be afraid to draft running back in the first round?

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According to NFL.com's Maurice Jones-Drew, it's not Robinson who sits atop this NFL Draft's running back group. 

Instead, the former NFL back has Alabama Crimson Tide ball carrier Jahmyr Gibbs at the top of his rankings.

"The Alabama product is a three-down back with a lot of upside," says Jones-Drew. "With his play often compared to New Orleans' Alvin Kamara, Gibbs is all about speed...but also possesses great start/stop quickness and is extremely elusive in the open field. As a receiver, Gibbs is a mismatch with soft hands and solid route-running ability. He's the type of player who can fit into any system and make any NFL offense better."

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Robinson does rank No. 2 and is one of just three players listed in Jones-Drew's 'Day 1 Starters' category. 

The third is UCLA's, Zach Charbonnet.

"My fellow Bruin lit up the field in 2022, averaging 7.0 yards per tote, fourth-most in the FBS," Jones-Drew says. "Charbonnet is strong with great contact balance, allowing him to consistently break tackles at the line of scrimmage and in the open field. The physical back has good vision and the ability to contribute in the pass game. Scoring 27 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons, his game tape says it all."

Jones-Drew goes on to rank 17 running backs who will fit in specific systems, and then 10 more who will need time to grow before making a real impact in the NFL.

It's an interesting take to have Robinson as the No. 2 running back in this year's class but also makes it clear the Buccaneers could be getting a 'special' talent whether they draft the first, second, or even third position player off the board in this year's NFL Draft.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82

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