Falcons use No. 8 pick on RB Bijan Robinson

The Atlanta Falcons selected Texas running back Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, eighth overall.

Robinson joins a backfield that includes 1,000-yard rusher Tyler Allgeier, who the team selected in the fifth round of last year's draft, and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Robinson produced elite numbers last year, rushing for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games. He's an effective receiver as well - he caught 19 passes for 314 yards and another pair of scores.

The Texas product becomes the highest-drafted running back since the New York Giants selected Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 pick in 2018.

Pre-draft profile

Robinson can do it all. The Texas star is an impressive athlete who runs with good vision and tempo. He's able to make defenders miss with burst out of his cuts and demonstrates excellent balance working through contact. His running ability alone would be enough to make Robinson a first-round prospect at the position, but that's not all he can do; he's also a high-level receiver out of the backfield, showing great hands as a pass-catcher and an extensive route tree. There will always be people in today's game who hate the idea of drafting a running back early, but it's tough to argue against such a move when talking about a player like this. Robinson is among the best players in this draft, and he'll have a chance to emerge among the elite players at his position from the outset of his NFL career.