Two Texas Running Backs Have Different Potential Fits for Saints Offense

Here's why Longhorns star RB Bijan Robinson might be too tempting for New Orleans to pass up in the unlikely event he slips in the draft. However, the Saints could also find a potential late-round steal in Robinson's Texas teammate.

Twenty-four years ago, the New Orleans Saints made one of the most controversial trades in NFL history. During the 1999 NFL Draft, then-Saints coach Mike Ditka traded the team’s entire draft (six picks) along with first and third round picks in 2000 to move up and select Texas Longhorns RB Ricky Williams with the fifth overall pick. 

Williams had a solid career with New Orleans, but nothing worth what the team gave up for him. He rushed for 3,129 yards in three years with the Saints, including back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns for the first time in franchise history, before being traded to the Dolphins in 2002.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Longhorns have another back who could go high in the first round of the draft. In fact, Texas has two talented backs that will likely be at opposite ends of the draft spectrum. 

RB - Bijan Robinson 

Texas (Jr.)

5'11" 215-Lbs.

Oct. 2, 2021; Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs the ball against TCU. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

One of the nation's most highly recruited high school stars came in as a true freshman and led Texas with 703 yards rushing during a 10-game 2020 season. He followed that up with 1,127 yards on the ground in 2021, scoring 11 touchdowns and adding four more and 295 yards as a receiver. 

Robinson's 2022 season included 1,580 rushing yards and 18 scores, both tops in the Big 12. He was second in the conference in plays from scrimmage as he added 19 receptions for 314 yards and two more scores. Robinson capped off his Longhorns career not only as a 1st Team All-American but also with the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back.

There aren't many weaknesses to Robinson's game. Some scouts might be a little concerned about the amount of touches, and hits, that Robinson has already endured before he takes an NFL snap. He's shown good receiving ability but will be asked to take on even more as a featured back. 

One area of improvement could be Robinson's power between the tackles. There were some moments at Texas where he'd hit the hole too upright, trying to make an explosive play rather than just lowering his pads to pick up necessary yardage. 

Robinson enters the draft with a complete set of skills for NFL offenses. He's a power back with breakaway speed who should thrive in any system. Able to run through defenders or juke past tacklers, he's equally effective inside and outside the tackles. 

An impressive athlete, Robinson is capable of carrying the offensive load. He has excellent vision for open lanes and the instant agility to alter his route to the second level.  He'll usually keep his pad level low to power for extra yards, but can just as easily spin by or sidestep would-be tacklers. 

As a receiver, Robinson has shown the ability to run an expanded route tree. Terrific vision, open field skills, and ability to set up blocks also make him a lethal weapon on screens and check-down passes. An underrated part of his game is his pass blocking, where Robinson has consistently been able to pick up extra rushers to give his quarterback additional time.

Oct 1, 2022; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs against the West Virginia Mountaineers. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY

Bijan Robinson will be the first running back selected. He arguably comes into the league with a more complete set of skills than Saquan Barkley, who was selected overall in 2018. Robinson is a top-10 talent, but could slip slightly because of general devaluing of the position in the draft. 

The Saints won't even dream of pulling off a trade similar to 1999 with Williams. However, if Robinson slips to the late teens or early 20s, it wouldn't be shocking if New Orleans jumped up from 29 to bolster their offensive attack. 

Robinson is one of the players to watch in the first round. His collegiate teammate might actually turn out to be one of the late-round steals in this draft. 

RB - Roschon Johnson 

Texas (Sr.)

6'0" 219-Lbs.

Nov. 5, 2022; Texas Longhorns running back Roschon Johnson (2) runs the ball against Kansas State. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

An all-star Texas high school quarterback, Johnson was moved to running back in his freshman year of 2019 and had 649 yards and 7 scores on the ground.  Relegated to a complementary role upon the arrival of Bijan Robinson in 2020, Johnson would give the Longhorns a powerful 1-2 backfield punch for the next three seasons. 

Johnson contributed 418 yards rushing and six scores in 2020, then 569 yards and five touchdowns the following year. He finished his Longhorns career in 2022 with 554 yards on the ground and five scores. Over four years at Texas, Johnson rolled up 2,190 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. He added 56 catches for 420 yards as a receiver. 

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson alleviated some concerns about his athleticism. He ran a solid 4.58 in the 40, an impressive 1.52 10-yard split, 10'2" broad jump, and 31'5" vertical leap. Robinson, his more celebrated teammate, had an equal 1.52 10-yard split with a 4.46 40 time and 10'4" broad jump. 

Unlike several backs in this draft, Johnson doesn't possess great breakaway ability. His timed speed is good, but it's not always displayed on the field. He did little in the passing game as either a receiver or blocker, probably limiting his value beyond early downs. 

As a former running quarterback, Johnson can read defenses well in the open field. He isn't extremely creative, but has good vision for running lanes and the quickness to hit the hole decisively. A pure north-south player, he rarely takes more than one cut during a run.

Johnson has excellent natural power, but also runs with an aggressive demeanor and dishes out punishment to defenders. It often takes multiple tacklers to bring him down, but Johnson nearly always wins the battle for that extra inch.

Sep 10, 2022; Texas Longhorns running back Roschon Johnson (2) rushes for yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY

Roschon Johnson will watch his teammate's name get called in the first round, but will wait until Day 3 before he has an NFL home as a late-round pick or priority free agent. His limitations in the passing game and lack of explosive traits will drop him in a deep draft class at the position. 

What Johnson will bring to the NFL is a back that will run with power and play with a chip on his shoulder. It's an area where the New Orleans Saints have struggled for the last two seasons. The Saints signed free-agent RB Jamaal Williams this offseason, but Alvin Kamara is facing at least a six-game league suspension. 

It might be too tempting for New Orleans to pass on the dynamic Bijan Robinson if available. In the likelihood that he isn't, Roschon Johnson could give the team a bruising inside runner with the upside of a potential draft steal and much-needed depth. 

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