The Atlanta Falcons have focused mostly on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Their biggest splashes in free agency were on defenders, with safety Jessie Bates III leading the way. Atlanta bolstered every level of their defense, which was needed after they ranked 23rd in points given up and 27th in yardage allowed.
Even finishing in the middle of the pack defensively would help the Falcons improve upon the 7-10 record they recorded last season. Given their style of play on offense, which is heavy on the running game, even an average defense will look good most weeks with limited time on the field.
If Atlanta wants to lean even further into that game plan, they should consider taking some weapons in the 2023 NFL Draft. The team did retain offensive linemen Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom this offseason, which will help the chemistry and cohesion of the unit.
Last season, the Falcons were third in the NFL with 2,718 rushing yards. No team ran the ball more than them as they had 559 carries and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. 51.1 percent of their offensive plays were runs as well, which led the NFL.
That is what makes the Falcons the best fit for Texas running back Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL Draft. It could be tough to justify a team taking a running back 8th overall, as that is no longer a premium position. But, Robinson is such a highly-rated prospect, it wouldn’t be nearly as bad of a pick as some people would think.
There is an argument that could be made that the Texas product is the No. 1 overall prospect in this year’s draft class. His tape is other-worldly and his production was off the charts with the Longhorns.
Last season, Robinson had 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He added 19 receptions for 314 yards and two more scores, making him a true every-down back. Robinson is a versatile target in the passing game and would be a huge addition to help Desmond Ridder find success in 2023.
Tyler Allgeier had a strong rookie season, but he isn’t the all-around player that Robinson is. While No. 8 is likely too high for the Falcons to select Robinson given the state of the team, if the opportunity presents itself to move down in the draft, Robinson would be in play depending on how far down the board the Falcons go.
