​As the 2026 season looms, a broad consensus has formed that Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons has emerged as the NFL’s top running back. The former top-10 pick arrived in the league with enormous expectations and, in his first three seasons, not only met them but exceeded them in impressive fashion. While Atlanta is likely to lock Robinson into a long-term contract soon, the Falcons did not re-sign his former committee-mate, Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier accepted a two-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, leaving Atlanta to chart a path without his presence.
With Allgeier out of the picture, the Falcons needed a cost-effective backup to complement Robinson. In free agency, they signed Brian Robinson Jr. to a one-year, $2.5 million contract, a move that currently looks like a significant bargain. The former third-round pick had previously been viewed as an ascending starter in Washington. Although he never became a feature back in the mold of a workhorse, he remains a capable dual-threat option who can contribute in multiple facets of the offense.
Pro Football Focus already slots Bijan Robinson as the No. 1 running back heading into the 2026 season. Brian Robinson, meanwhile, earned recognition in the honorable mentions section of PFF’s rankings. “Robinson didn’t get a ton of action backing up Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco, but he does have three separate 700-yard seasons under his belt and forced 22 missed tackles across just 95 carries last season,” wrote PFF’s Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick. “He should be able to capably give Bijan Robinson a break when needed.” Robinson’s production in Washington, where he accumulated 2,729 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, along with 73 receptions for 612 receiving yards over his first four NFL seasons, underscores that Brian Robinson can provide solid relief effort when called upon. For a Falcons offense that’s expected to emphasize the screen game, having a reliable backup like Brian Robinson makes a lot of sense behind Bijan.
Allgeier also received an honorable mention in PFF’s running back rankings. The article notes that Arizona’s backfield could be among the deepest in the league, with veterans James Conner and Tyler Allgeier joined by third overall pick Love. Allgeier’s stat line from the prior season—eight rushing touchdowns, a career-high mark, and a spotless fumble record—further illustrates the value he would have offered. The PFF assessment highlights his strong pass protection and reliability as an asset in that facet of the game. Even with Allgeier joining a potent depth chart in Arizona, the Falcons will be relying on both Robinson and Allgeier to contribute in different ways, depending on how the team’s offense evolves.
As the Falcons head into training camp, Robinson’s versatility remains a key asset. While Allgeier’s power and downhill running style could have made him a formidable complement behind Bijan, Robinson brings a blend of agility and receiving ability that can help Atlanta in a variety of formations. In the current setup, Robinson’s backup role is important, but it’s not just a straightforward handoff to a single backup runner; he is expected to be a capable change-of-pace option who can contribute on third downs and in the screen game when called upon.
The Falcons don’t currently have a clearly defined No. 3 running back on the roster, though rookie or second-year talent joins the mix. Tyler Goodson showed some potential during minicamp and could be a name to watch as camp unfolds. As Atlanta returns for training camp and preseason play, all eyes will be on how the running backs perform in drills, especially in situations designed to test pass protection, route running, and the ability to contribute as receivers out of the backfield.
In sum, the Falcons head into the 2026 season with Bijan Robinson positioned as the premier running back in the league, supported by a well-valued backup option in Brian Robinson Jr. The departure of Tyler Allgeier leaves a vacancy that remains to be filled, but with Robinson’s star power and Brian Robinson’s proven versatility, Atlanta has the flexibility to shape its backfield to maximize its overall offensive efficiency. The coming weeks will determine how the position group settles, but the early indications point to a dynamic and multifaceted approach from the Falcons’ backfield, one that prioritizes Robinson’s elite talent while leveraging Brian Robinson’s experience and pass-protection acumen. This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire and reflects PFF’s latest positional rankings for the Falcons’ backfield.