It wasn’t too long ago that valuing the running back position was scoffed at. Whether it was general managers, analysts, reporters, or fans, the perception of running backs as expendable came about because the best teams in the league were pass-oriented, and the proof of concept in recent Super Bowl winners weren’t being led by a 1,000-yard rusher at the position. It was also evident in contract negotiations across the league where running backs struggled to secure lucrative long-term contracts.
That’s what made the Falcons’ decision to draft Bijan Robinson a polarizing one.
As highly-regarded as he was as a prospect, the thought process behind selecting a running back with a top ten pick in 2023 seemed farcical, especially for a team with a running back who had just broken the franchise rookie rushing yardage record. Much like many of Terry Fontenot’s high-profile draft decisions, he didn’t let outside skepticism affect his vision. Robinson was going to be at the nucleus of the Falcons’ success.
Although expectations weren’t met in 2023 and 2024, their most notable wins came with the prolific running back at the forefront of their offensive attack. That recipe hasn’t just continued in 2025. It has been greatly amplified, as Robnson has 168 total yards or more in Atlanta’s three wins. Those victories have all come against playoff teams from last season. He has been sensational since the third offensive play of the season, where he turned a checkdown into a 50-yard touchdown against Tampa Bay.
Any questioning of the decision to draft Robinson has left the room after seeing him take his game to another level following a terrific 2024 season. He currently leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 822 yards, despite the team already having a bye week. A once-rising star is transforming into a must-see superstar who gives the Falcons the platform to beat anyone with his skill set and determination.
Always growing in mastering the craft
Numerous qualities in Robinson’s game must be admired. His overall feel for the game in pacing his runs and timing to let plays develop. The lethal jump cuts will leave defenders questioning their life decisions. The ability to run through contact at the second level and gain extra yardage consistently happens every game. The continued improvement in pass protection has left even defensive tackles in a state of disarray, as Ed Oliver can attest to. The list is endless when analyzing his attributes. It all stems from the desire to grow as a player and not allow success to inflate his ego. It’s about getting better every day with total focus.
Speaking to ESPN’s Kevin Clark, he articulates how he studies the best running backs from the past and present. Being inspired by LaDainian Tomlinson’s attack-minded mentality to break defenders to the point where they didn’t want to tackle him elevated his game. In a dominant win against Minnesota, Brian Flores’ vaunted defense looked fearful in trying to stop Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. The ferocious tandem combined for 141 yards after contact, which included Robinson forcing an astonishing 12 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus. That primetime performance in a hostile environment showed a more violent side to his game.
Christian McCaffrey was another running back he highlighted as one he loves watching. It’s fitting for multiple reasons, starting with his training with the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year this past offseason. The other comes from the ascendance as a receiver, with Zac Robinson utilizing him in similar ways to how Kyle Shanahan maximizes McCaffrey’s extraordinary versatility. According to Pro Football Focus, Bijan Robinson ran a season-high 16 routes from out wide and in the slot versus Buffalo. Catching six passes on seven targets indicates that there was a concentrated plan to expand his playmaking abilities as a receiver.
From being in stacks with Drake London and Casey Washington to running wheel routes behind Kyle Pitts, Robinson was receiving the ball in space in a variety of ways. The latest injury to Darnell Mooney and the surprising omission of Ray-Ray McCloud put more on his plate than ever before. Considering how high the stakes were against one of the NFL’s premier teams, Robinson rose to the occasion and provided Michael Penix Jr. with high-percentage looks that resulted in positive receptions for him or created space for London to have his own spectacular performance. It’s only right that both players help produce opportunities for each other when they combined for an outrageous 299 combined total yards in the first half against Buffalo.
Robinson uses inspiration that goes beyond the football field. His strong faith in God is expressed during on-air interviews. His love for watching Allen Iverson and Kyrie Irving helps drive his creativity. No matter how talented a player is, the work to evolve has to be done outside of practice and film review sessions. Robinson was destined for greatness from his first game in the league, where he turned a certain three-yard loss into an 11-yard touchdown, juking and jolting past three defenders against Carolina. Being great isn’t enough for the potential 2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Ascension into new heights
While he is starting to be labeled as the best running back in the league, what matters most to him is how the Falcons are building a dynamic, well-rounded team. Not many teams can claim to have beaten the Bills definitively over the last four seasons. How they took command in primetime, with their Pro Bowl running back doing it all, showcased their capabilities on both sides of the ball in outcoaching and outexecuting a Super Bowl contender. The coaching aspect stands out, as Zac Robinson has worked diligently to design plays to get the ball to his premier playmaker in space.
The coaching staff is lining up Bijan Robinson across the formation and motioning him in a wide variety of ways. That includes sweeps as he accelerates off an orbit or fly motion, while also maximizing an athletic offensive line that knows how to win at the second level and physical wide receivers like London and Washington who can impose their will on cornerbacks. All the pieces aligned in the first half against Buffalo with a well-structured game plan and terrific all-around blocking to help provide the NFC Offensive Player of the Week a strong platform to have a performance for the ages.
Joining Warrick Dunn and Michael Turner on an illustrious list as the only running backs in franchise history to produce an 80-yard rushing touchdown was special. That memorable 81-yard touchdown run exemplifies another encouraging development in Robinson’s game. Nobody ever doubted his explosiveness or breakaway speed, but the lack of explosive plays was the one critique coming out of last season. His longest run went for 37 yards, while his longest reception went for 29 yards in 2024. With three 50+ yard plays in five games, the game-changing moments are happening often.
His 69-yard reception against Washington illustrates how Zac Robinson is devising creative ways to generate those explosive plays. The offensive coordinator is also exploiting opposing defenses’ biggest weaknesses in the process. As Bijan Robinson runs a wheel route, London and Washington are crossing from the right side to create traffic in the middle of the field. That affects Bobby Wagner in trying to track down the route. It works perfectly since Washington is playing man coverage, and their defensive backs are unable to pass off their assignments. Targeting an aging Wagner in coverage while setting natural picks on an unbalanced secondary that doesn’t communicate well is a diligent strategy in scheming up big-play opportunities.
It takes detailed coaching for a prolific running back to be at his ultimate best. Look no further than what Saquon Barkley did last season after years of being plagued by the Giants’ poor infrastructure and non-existent offensive identity. Signing with the Eagles allowed him to showcase his incredible capabilities. It also ended the stretch of Super Bowl winners not having a dynamic, workhorse-type running back. For the Eagles to win the Super Bowl in such a dominant fashion inspires the belief that teams that commit to the running game and build their game plan around maximizing the skills of their top-tier running back can win a championship.
Of course, there are plenty of aspects behind building a championship-caliber team. Seeing a superstar running back at the heart of a Super Bowl winner should instill optimism for what Raheem Morris is building with who he believes is the best player in football.
Greater influence, bigger aspirations
A transcendent player should instill greater confidence and drive across an entire locker room. When that player is selfless and prioritizes sharing his gratitude for his teammates after every major success, it creates greater unity within an organization. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the last superstar the Falcons had on their roster. Julio Jones never boasted about his greatest achievements. He remained humble and worked relentlessly to be the best for several years. Later in his career, he invested more time into helping younger wide receivers develop.
Robinson appears to be on the same path. Combining his maturity and dedication to being the best he can be for everyone around him comes with a ruthlessness on the field, where he overpowers defenders and makes them suffer if they can’t match his intensity. Setting that kind of tone gives teammates extra fuel. It also creates opportunities for players around him as defenses focus on doing everything imaginable to contain him.
Expectations will remain tempered in Atlanta, especially considering what transpired the last time they won in primetime. Circumstances can rapidly change in the NFL. There is nothing wrong with being optimistic, but looking too far ahead can’t hinder the preparation for the next challenge. That can lead to a humiliating 30-point defeat against a division rival.
How Robinson is playing, with a rapidly improving defense and growing offense, can cultivate optimism in an entire city. You can feel the excitement with his blistering jukes and clever patience to accelerate into running lanes. His work in the community deserves enormous appreciation as he continues to do tremendous things off the field. Appearing in JID’s stellar music video for Sk8 will only make him more beloved in Atlanta. For a city that is in desperate need of playoff football, they can start dreaming, knowing what an electrifying player can do on any Sunday, Monday, or Thursday with the right infrastructure and culture around him.
Unlike in the last two years, a playoff spot will be truly earned. The days of the NFC South being the NFL’s punchline are over. Tampa Bay’s perseverance in overcoming adversity commands enormous respect. The quality of teams in the NFC North and West has to be acknowledged. The reigning Super Bowl champions and the team that essentially eliminated the Falcons from the playoffs last season in Washington are going to be there competing at the top. It’s going to be a long battle, but this team is already being tested by facing four playoff teams from last season. They are well-equipped for what lies ahead with a superstar running back who is ready to take command and do everything it takes to win.
