Falcons Draft Bijan Robinson? 'Don't Sleep' - Insider

Buzz continues to build around the Atlanta Falcons being a potential landing spot for Texas running back Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft.

There are several different avenues the Atlanta Falcons could go with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Whether it be a defensive end, cornerback or offensive lineman, the draft class sets up nicely for Atlanta to add an impact player.

But what if, instead of addressing a greater need, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot sticks with his approach of "best player available" and selects arguably the draft's most dynamic playmaker in Texas running back Bijan Robinson?

According to NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, the idea of Atlanta drafting Robinson may not be as far-fetched as one may think.

"I've heard ... don't sleep on them with Bijan Robinson," Jeremiah said on the "Move the Sticks" podcast.

The Falcons' running backs room features Tyler Allgeier, a fifth-round pick last year who broke the franchise record for rushing yards by a rookie with 1,035, and veteran Cordarrelle Patterson, who Jeremiah called "a unique player, one of one."

And still - the "fascinating" potential of drafting Robinson exists ... especially when considering Atlanta's run-based offense and interest in making second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder's life as easy as possible.

Jeremiah's co-host, fellow NFL Network draft analyst Bucky Brooks, compared the impact that Robinson could have on Ridder to a situation the Falcons have quite a bit of experience with.

"I just remember a young Matt Ryan and how he benefited from playing with Michael Turner," Brooks said. "This team appears a little more ready to take a big time running back to put behind a quarterback because it'll make him comfortable."

Brooks also noted Falcons coach Arthur Smith's history of working with Tennessee Titans runner Derrick Henry, as he's "called an offense with a big-time back and he's had success with that."

It's for those reasons that Brooks "wouldn't past it past" the Falcons to draft Robinson, who enjoyed a formal meeting with Atlanta's decision makers at the NFL Combine.

"It went great, it went great," Robinson said. "I love the whole staff - just great people, first off, and I can tell what they're trying to do with the program. I think we'll see going down the line where it goes, where it ends up, how it goes."

Robinson, 21, is coming off a stellar junior season for the Longhorns, earning unanimous All-American honors after running for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging over six yards per carry. He was also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 19 passes for 314 yards and two scores.

Has Robinson done enough to legitimately play his way into the Falcons' plans at No. 8?

That answer won't be in until Apr. 27 - but for now, "don't sleep" on the possibility.

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You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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