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AP Picture/Jeff Roberson
Whereas most followers and analysts agree the Atlanta Falcons drafting Bijan Robinson to play in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense is enjoyable, the big-picture perspective of a staff with so many roster holes including a operating again within the first spherical is questionable.
One government from one other staff informed The Athletic’s Mike Sando they will see what the Falcons “try to do” with Robinson, however the decide “didn’t resolve any issues for them.”
Robinson was arguably one of the best offensive participant within the 2023 draft class no matter place. B/R’s Derrik Klassen stated the Texas operating again can “step in instantly and have the ability to carry the workload for a dashing offense, in addition to contribute within the passing sport.”
For a Falcons staff that’s going with Desmond Ridder at quarterback, having a security outlet like Robinson within the passing sport and what he is able to doing within the operating sport is sweet for the offense.
However there’s additionally the query of how a lot expertise Smith actually wants at operating again to maximise the dashing assault.
The Falcons led the NFL in dashing makes an attempt (559), ranked third in dashing yards per sport (159.9) and fourth in yards per try (4.9) final season with rookie Tyler Allgeier and Cordarelle Patterson as their high two operating backs.
Marcus Mariota was additionally a giant contributor to the operating sport from the quarterback spot. Ridder can transfer round exterior of the pocket, however his college tape shows a player who needs to play a extra conventional fashion.
Shedding the 438 yards on the bottom that Mariota produced final season may change the dynamics of Smith’s strategy, however history exhibits that it may be onerous to get nice worth from drafting a operating again within the first spherical.
Saquon Barkley was the final operating again taken within the high 10 when the New York Giants chosen him second total in 2018.
Nobody would say he was a bust as a two-time Professional Bowler and Offensive Rookie of the Yr winner, however the Giants are locked in a contract standoff with a 26-year-old as a result of not a number of groups are making vital investments in operating backs on a second contract.
The Falcons have been additionally a 7-10 staff final season that ranked fifteenth in factors per sport and twenty third in factors allowed per sport. They have not had a participant document a minimum of 10 sacks in a season since Vic Beasley in 2016 (15.5).
Jeff Okudah is about to be the beginning cornerback reverse A.J. Terrell. Somebody like Christian Gonzalez, Lukas Van Ness, Jalen Carter or one other vast receiver would have made extra sensible sense for the Falcons with the No. 8 total decide.
As an alternative, the Falcons went the enjoyable route by taking Robinson and making certain he’ll virtually definitely be one of many first gamers chosen in fantasy dynasty drafts due to how a lot run he is more likely to get on this offense.
