With the eighth overall selection of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected running back Bijan Robinson. Even before he was drafted, Robinson was projected to be the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. The fantasy football space had been anticipating his arrival into the NFL for years, and some were left disappointed with his rookie numbers.
Superstar Running Back Issues Apology
Atlanta Falcons star running back Bijan Robinson has issued an apology to fantasy football players regarding his on-field performance in 2023.
Bijan Robinson gives an apology to fantasy managers for last season 🤣 pic.twitter.com/v8ECcvcBOO
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) March 7, 2024
Robinson obviously expected more from his rookie season than what he produced. However, the apology is very unnecessary, as he was definitely not a bust. He finished the season with 976 yards rushing and four touchdowns to go along with 58 receptions for 487 yards and another four touchdowns. His rookie numbers were good enough to finish as the overall RB9 in full point-per-reception leagues.
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While the running back produced very reasonable and respectable numbers, many fantasy football players were left wanting more. This was not due to the skill level of Bijan Robinson, but rather the team’s inability to involve its top playmakers in the game plan. This ultimately cost head coach Arthur Smith his position with the franchise, as he was fired at season’s end.
The Arthur Smith Effect
Arthur Smith was much maligned during his tenure with the Atlanta Falcons for his misuse of highly talented players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. The offense finished the 2023 season 26th in the NFL with a pedestrian 18.9 ppg, down from 21.5 in 2022. The lack of usage of Robinson, London, and Pitts became more and more glaring.
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Despite playing all 17 games, Robinson only finished 19th in carries with 214. He still finished sixth among running backs with over 200 carries with 4.6 yards per carry. The insistence on using Tyler Allgeier in nearly the same capacity on a carry basis as Robinson was dumbfounding. He only averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 186 carries and doesn’t have the talent of Robinson.
Bijan Robinson’s Future Outlook
Robinson clearly has all the requisite skills to be a high-end running back in the NFL. He just needs the volume and proper play-calling to optimize his effectiveness. Newly hired head coach Raheem Morris brought in new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson from the Los Angeles Rams.
Robinson is considered one of the best up-and-coming playcallers in the league and should be able to get Bijan Robinson the ball in a multitude of ways. Over the last two seasons, Zac Robinson served as the Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2023, the Rams finished 10th in the NFL in passing yards. The new Atlanta OC won’t hesitate to get his best playmakers involved.
About the Author
Not only a writer and contributor of Total Apex Sports, Tom Harvey is also the co-founder of dynastyprosfootball.com
Tom has been writing about professional wrestling, college football, NFL, and fantasy football for over a decade and is an avid sports fan. A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a History degree, he loves all things Vols. He is also a massive Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys fan. As an “Army Brat,” Tom has lived all over the country and abroad, so he has an appreciation of most sports and fan bases.
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