Bijan Robinson: Grading the Falcons No. 8 NFL draft pick

The Falcons bucked the trend of not taking running backs early in the NFL draft selecting Bijan Robinson as No. 8 overall. Here’s the grade. 

The 2023 NFL draft has been interesting and you didn’t necessarily expect a running back to come off the board in the top 10 but the Falcons surprised everyone with Bijan Robinson, the running back out of Texas at the No. 8 overall pick.

Bijan Robinson could be a home-run pick for the Falcons. He rushed for nearly 1,600 yards last season and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. He’s an incredible athlete, the clear-cut No. 1 running back in the 2023 NFL draft, and a receiving threat.

However, did the Falcons get good value with No. 8 overall? We offer up our grade of Bijan Robinson to Atlanta in the 2023 NFL draft.

Grading Bijan Robinson to the Falcons in the 2023 NFL draft

While I like Bijan Robinson the player, I don’t necessarily like the Falcons making the pick of a running back here. Atlanta needed defense and you could also make the case that the Falcons could have used a quarterback like Will Levis.

Jalen Carter was the No. 1 overall player on the NFL draft board according to Mel Kiper Jr. and Atlanta passed on a chance to draft a potentially elite defender from Georgia. Carter did have some off-field concerns but eighth overall isn’t No. 1, so the risk is mitigated.

Instead, the Eagles stole Carter and drafted quite possibly the best player in the NFL draft. It’s smart by Philly. Robinson can be a superstar and if he plays like Christian McCaffrey, then this will be a good pick.

Anything less than that, it will have been a waste and it just feels like a luxury the Falcons don’t have right now.

Grade: B-