The Atlanta Falcons may have drafted the next LaDainian Tomlinson in Bijan Robinson.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith plans to use first-round pick Bijan Robinson in a multitude of ways offensively.
Robinson spoke with the media during the Falcons' rookie minicamp this weekend. Although people outside of Flowery Branch questioned why the Dirty Birds used their No. 8 overall pick on a running back out of Texas, Robinson appreciates the big picture Smith has in mind for him. The plan going forward for Atlanta is to use Robinson as a franchise cornerstone offensive weapon.
Robinson is so excited about what he can do in Atlanta. Here is what he told ESPN's Harry Lyles Jr.
He also loves the fact that Smith said he plans on coaching him hard during his rookie season.
The Falcons have assembled quite the roster around second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder with the hopes that Robinson and company can help propel the Dirty Birds into the NFC playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons plan to use rookie RB Bijan Robinson everywhere in their offense
I'll be totally honest with you. My love for Robinson as an NFL playmaker has nothing to do with him going to my hometown team, but it certainly helped me see the big picture. I anticipated that whatever team drafted him would find new and creative ways to get him the football, as well as set up interesting looks for their particular offense to operate. Robinson's versatility is a huge deal.
What Atlanta is trying to do here is to surround Ridder with as many explosive playmakers as possible on offense. We know what kind of mismatch Kyle Pitts can be at tight end, and we know how dynamic the ageless Cordarrelle Patterson can be with the ball in his hands. Factor in Drake London's growth as a receiver and Tyler Allgeier's powerful running style, this team could be good.
Running the football has been the Falcons' bread and butter under Smith. It is no surprise, as he cut his teeth coaching on the ground-centric Tennessee Titans staff under multiple regimes. Of course, Atlanta has to improve defensively for this plan of attack to work. The Falcons did overhaul the defense in NFL free agency, and in the NFL Draft to some extent, but that remains to be seen.
While there is not a lot of margin for error with the Falcons this season, keep in mind that they play in a very winnable division. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expected to pull back in a post-Tom Brady world, it's really anybody's NFC South to win, even the Falcons'. Factor in them potentially drafting the next NFC Offensive Player of the Year, and maybe they will play in January?
With no primetime games to be had, don't be shocked if the Falcons sneak up on people this year. Seemingly every season, one team will go worst to first in its division. Not to say they will be this year's Jacksonville Jaguars, but there is a blueprint out there for the Falcons to follow. Of course, they are dead-set on doing their own thing by attempting to completely revamp the entire culture.
Ultimately, Atlanta is not going to contend for the Super Bowl this year, but I think people are starting to come aboard with the idea that maybe this team can win 11 games and host a home playoff as that No. 4 seed this year. From there, it is all about experience. Look at how huge it has been for Jacksonville and the Cincinnati Bengals to get a rare taste of postseason games recently.
As long as Robinson stays healthy, the Falcons may have drafted a potentially transcendent star.