Falcons' Bijan Robinson: Offensive Rookie And Player Of The Year?

Will Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson live up to expectations as the No. 8 overall pick?

Few rookies are set up to make an immediate impact like Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. 

The Falcons boasted the No. 3 rushing attack in the 2022 regular season, and now they've added Robinson, who was touted as the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley, to the mix. 

With Robinson's talent and Atlanta's success running the ball last season, Bleacher Report boldly predicted that the Texas product would win the Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. 

Robinson would be the first player in NFL history to simultaneously win both awards. 

"Atlanta may have other elite and young skill-position talent with Kyle Pitts and Drake London, but Robinson will be the focal point of its offense—at least until the club unearths a franchise quarterback," Bleacher Report writes. "Barring an unexpected leap from Desmond Ridder, expect Robinson to get a herculean amount of volume as a rookie and parlay that workload into both Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards."

The Falcons didn't take Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick just for him to be another piece. Atlanta drafted him to take an elite running game and the offense as a whole to another level. 

Atlanta's backfield wasn't void of talent before Robinson joined the fold. Tyler Allgeier ran for 1,035 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last season. Cordarrelle Patterson also had a career year, rushing for 695 yards and eight touchdowns.

However, even with Allgeier and Patterson leading the Falcons' rushing attack, neither player can match the ability of Robinson. In his three seasons at Texas, Robinson had 539 carries for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also had 60 receptions for 805 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. 

Even with the running back position being devalued, Robinson may prove to be an exception. Robinson can be more than be a running back.

He can be a weapon for Atlanta's offense. 

And if Robinson carries the Falcons offense and lives up to lofty expectations, who's to say he can't make history in his rookie year. 

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here.