Falcons' Bijan Robinson: Rookie of the Year?

Will Atlanta Falcons potential star Bijan Robinson be the first running back to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year since Saquon Barkley?

The Atlanta Falcons are taking the field at the Flowery Branch practice facility with an exciting roster and a very healthy attitude after an offseason of changes. 

Head coach Arthur Smith is leading the charge with exciting rookie additions to the squad including former Texas star running back Bijan Robinson.

All enter training camp with high expectations ... but Robinson comes to Atlanta with the consensus tag of the best running back in the 2023 class. 

Robinson rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry with 19 receptions for 314 yards and two touchdowns last year at Texas.

A running back has not won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year since 2018 when Saquon Barkley won. Robinson is NFL.com's pick for frontrunner with the best-odds to win the prestigious award this season.

"Robinson is a three-down option with an outstanding blend of vision, contact balance and an ability to create yards for himself," writes NFL.com. "He's an above-average pass catcher with the ability to beat coverage in space, and he can stack up touchdowns in a hurry when his play-caller feeds him and he gets into a rhythm."

As the 8th selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, Robinson is also the highest-picked running back since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 overall to the New York Giants. 

The Falcons ranked second in rushing attempts per game and rushing yards per game last season ... a potential match made in heaven for Robinson. Will Robinson follow in the two-time Pro Bowler Barkley's steps and lead the Falcons back to the playoffs?

That journey starts now, with training camp.

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