Bijan Robinson has been called many things since entering the NFL — explosive, versatile, elite. But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell just added a new label to the mix: draft hype.
In his latest ranking of the NFL’s best position groups, Barnwell placed the Atlanta Falcons ninth overall, largely thanks to the talent of Robinson and rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. But while he credited Robinson’s production, he delivered a sharp critique of the former No. 8 overall pick’s reputation.
“Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 pick in 2023, has been very good, but the idea that he was going to be a position-transcendent playmaker turned out to be draft hype,” Barnwell wrote. “I’m not evaluating players versus their draft pedigree or the opportunity cost of taking a running back for these rankings, but strictly evaluated versus other backs, Robinson has been stellar, ranking seventh in RYOE among backs over the past two seasons.”
That line — “draft hype” — hits differently, especially considering the buzz that surrounded Robinson coming out of Texas. The Falcons were criticized at the time for using a top-10 pick on a running back, but Robinson looked to prove doubters wrong early. He followed a solid rookie season with a breakout sophomore campaign, finishing third in the NFL in rushing yards (1,456) and fifth in rushing touchdowns (15).
Still, Barnwell argues that Robinson hasn’t delivered the highlight-reel explosiveness that many expected.
“The one thing that’s missing is big plays: Robinson didn’t have a single gain of more than 40 yards last season, which seems impossible for a player who had five of those in his final college season,” Barnwell added. “We should see more of them in 2025.”
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Despite Barnwell’s skepticism, many around the league still view Robinson as one of the game’s top backs. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler previously ranked Robinson fourth in an executive poll of the NFL’s best running backs.
“Robinson entered the league with considerable expectations and has largely met them,” Fowler wrote. “He’s one of three players in NFL history to produce 2,400 rushing yards and 100 receptions in a player’s first two seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson.”
That’s not just statistical fluff — it’s historic company. Falcons writer Will McFadden highlighted just how meaningful those names are when talking about Robinson’s early trajectory.
“It’s apparent to anyone who has watched Robinson on a football field that he has rare gifts,” McFadden wrote. “Seeing his name alongside those two particular players helped cement the specific lineage Robinson might just belong to.”
The Falcons hope that lineage still plays out. With Penix expected to take over full-time under center in 2025, Robinson will again be leaned on to carry the offensive load. One NFL coordinator told Fowler he’s the total package: “Size, speed, acceleration, pass game, value, breaks tackles, can hit home runs. He’s a nightmare to prepare for.”
But Barnwell’s assessment is a reminder that the expectations for Robinson weren’t just to be good — they were to be different. Special. Game-breaking. Transcendent.
So far, Robinson has been productive. In 2025, he’ll need to be more than that — not just to silence national critics like Barnwell, but to help pull the Falcons back into relevance.
