​The Atlanta Falcons drew widespread disbelief across the league when they selected Bijan Robinson with a top-10 pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At that time, the move drew extra scrutiny because Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier had just closed out a 1,000-yard rookie season, adding fuel to the controversy. Fast forward three years, and Robinson has emerged as the consensus No. 1 running back in the NFL. He topped ESPN’s annual poll of NFL executives, and he also captured the top spot in Pro Football Focus’s most recent running back rankings for the 2026 season.
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick highlighted Robinson as one of the rare backs who truly deserved a top-10 selection, noting that his early success has justified the pick since 2023. They pointed to his 204 forced missed tackles since entering the league—25 more than any other back—as well as his 2,716 yards after contact in that span, trailing only Derrick Henry. They also cited his 1,738 career receiving yards, which lead the NFL. In their view, no running back has been more valuable than Robinson over the past two seasons, according to PFF’s Wins Above Replacement metric.
Robinson embodies the archetype of a do-it-all back. His reputation as a dual-threat asset in both rushing and receiving is well-earned, but he also deserves credit for his willingness to block and his overall blocking proficiency. The Falcons’ offensive line has been strong in several aspects, yet pass protection has remained a challenge in recent years. Having a back like Robinson who can pick up blitzes and give the quarterback extra time in the pocket is incredibly valuable for any offense. Through the first three seasons of his NFL career, Robinson has lived up to the expectations that accompanied his hype.
If there’s a lingering area where the Falcons could gain additional dividends, it would be enhancing the quarterback position to maximize Robinson’s talents further. A more efficient passing game would amplify the impact of a back who can do so much in multiple facets of the offense. With Robinson heaping value onto the Falcons’ rushing attack and pass-catching options, improving the QB situation could unlock even more of his potential and help Atlanta compete at a higher level.
This piece originally appeared on Falcons Wire, accompanying PFF’s ranking that places Bijan Robinson as the No. 1 running back in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season.