Praise for Falcons Running Back Rampant on First Day of Training Camp

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson made a strong impression on the first day of training camp, showcasing his skills by putting multiple defensive players, including Natrone Brooks and JD Bertrand, on the ground. His performance prompted a comment about wanting to protect him until the regular season.

Robinson is coming off an excellent 2023 season where he accumulated 1,866 total yards (1,456 rushing, 410 receiving) and scored 15 total touchdowns (14 rushing, 1 receiving). He ranked fourth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage and tied for third in touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.

Teammates expressed high praise for Robinson. Linebacker Jalon Walker, a recent first-round pick, called him a "Freak" after seeing him on day one. Wide receiver Drake London stated that Robinson's standout performance is simply what the team expects from him. Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. emphasized Robinson's critical importance to the offense, noting he "helps open up the pass game" and his abilities with the ball are "insane."

Robinson has established himself as one of the NFL's top running backs. This is reflected in his rankings across major outlets: No. 35 in PFF's top 50, No. 39 in CBS Sports' top 100 players, and the 4th-best running back according to ESPN's offseason surveys.