10 August 2023 , 12:04
1269
0
Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson is already working his way to become a key player in rotation for the franchise.
Robinson was selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft back in April. The running back from the University of Texas is preparing for his rookie season in the league.
The 21-year-old has been looking to impress during training camp for the Falcons over the last few months. Pre-season games are due to begin later this month for the NFC South franchise, and Robinson will be hoping to work his way into becoming a possible starter in the future.
However, it seems that despite Robinson already being held in high regard by Falcons head coach Arthur Smith he may still have work to do. The team has released its depth chart following the early days of training camp, and Robinson has been handed a surprising position.
Despite his status as a high pick and the first running back drafted in April, Robinson is listed as the third in the running back depth chart which was released by the Falcons. Cordarrelle Patterson is number one, while Tyler Allgeier is second and just ahead of Robinson.
Joe Burrow backs Patrick Mahomes after Kansas City Chiefs reach Super Bowl
It’s not an unusual rank for a rookie in the first few months of their time with an NFL franchise. But the fact that the Falcons already have a formidable duo in Patterson and Allgeier, who rushed for more than 1,700 yards last season, means Robinson always had a challenge on his hands.
There were hopes that Robinson would be the starting running back for the Falcons in his first season. After being the No.8 overall pick, it was suggested that the Falcons would be getting the player ready to be a starter for Week One.
Robinson still has a month to get ready for the Week One opener against NFC South rivals the Carolina Panthers on September 10. Before then there are three pre-season friendly games against the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers where Robinson will be hoping to climb the running back depth chart.
Over the course of his first season in the NFL, Robinson is set to earn $13.7 million (£10.7 million) in his rookie season with the Falcons. That will see him become the highest-paid running back across the league.
To put that into perspective, that will be more than the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. In the case of Barkley, he signed an $11 million (£8.6 million) one-year deal after his franchise tag deadline expired last month.