Bijan Robinson will soon be one of the biggest stars in Atlanta sports. Falcons fans are starving for something to cheer about. The team hasn’t been to the postseason since 2017, and beyond that, the product on the field has been downright boring.
That won’t be the case in 2023. The defense finally looks like it has some chops after allocating significant money to that side of the ball, but it’s Arthur Smith’s offense and this skill position group that could really get people interested in the Falcons again.
Smith is among the best play-callers in the league. Outsiders may not be aware, but those who pay attention to the details know what he brings to the offense. Kyle Pitts is coming off a down year, but only fools doubt his talent. Drake London also flashed a ton of potential in year one, but it’s Bijan Robinson that will have the opportunity to make this city a believer in the Falcons again.
Robinson might already be the most talented player on the team, but there are a lot of nuances that must be learned when going from college to the NFL, and he’s soaking it all in like a sponge while rooming with Falcons second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder.
Interesting sound here from Bijan Robinson, who's roomed with Desmond Ridder all camp: "That was awesome because every night, I couldn't like, kind of relax. I had to do something with the QB's… That really helped me out a lot" taking in all that they do & learning from them. pic.twitter.com/fWdWzxF0VS
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) August 9, 2023
While people questioned the Falcons decision to take Bijan Robinson 8th overall, Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith didn’t need to spend much time with him to know who they were going to select. He embodies everything the Falcons are trying to establish as far as culture — an ultra-talented hard worker that is just as good of a person as he is a player. So, when the quarterback wants to get some extra work in, Robinson is going to take full advantage.
The Texas product likely would have turned into a star wherever he landed in the draft, but he couldn’t have been dropped into a better situation than Atlanta. Arthur Smith wants to run the rock as much as anyone, but he also loves creating mismatches in the passing game, and Robinson is a walking mismatch as a receiver. Very few coaches would know how to use him more efficiently than the Falcons headman.
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Photo: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire
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