NFL Draft Picks Bijan Robinson And Jahmyr Gibbs Show Running Backs Still Matter

Running back Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was informed Thursday night that a second running back — Jahmyr Gibbs — was selected just three picks after him.

“Oh … let’s go,” Robinson exclaimed.

That’s the first time two running backs were selected that high since the 2017 NFL Draft when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Leonard Fournette No. 4 overall, and the Carolina Panthers selected Christian McCaffrey No. 8 overall.

Sure, it’s a passing league, but perhaps reports of the death of the running back position have been greatly exaggerated.

“It shows the value that it holds,” said Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons draft pick.

Robinson is the highest running back drafted since Saquon Barkley was selected second overall by the New York Giants in 2018 — and for good reason.

“No doubt about it to me, he is one of the premiere, premiere players in the draft.” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during a conference call. “He is elite.”

The 5-11, 215-pounder ran 258 times for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns for Texas during his junior season.

Though Robinson was not familiar with Jamal Anderson’s famed “Dirty Bird” dance, perhaps he can be a workhorse back like the former Falcons back who led the NFL with 410 carries while helping Atlanta reach the Super Bowl in 1998.

Those kind of numbers are a vestige of another era, but no team has a more old-school attack than the run-heavy Falcons.

They led the NFL in rushing attempts last year with 559 and had the second fewest passing attempts with 257.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith brought that run-oriented scheme from the Tennessee Titans, where he called Derrick Henry’s numbers early and often as the offensive coordinator.

Robinson is excited about that prospect.

“He wants to use my skillsets fully,” Robinson said, “and line me up wherever the mismatches are and get me in open space.”

Robinson is not just an up-the-gut player. He’s a versatile back, but Gibbs might be an even better receiver.

The Detroit Lions selection had more than double the amount of receptions Robinson did last season, catching 44 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns in addition to rushing 151 times for 926 yards and seven touchdowns for Alabama after transferring from Georgia Tech.

Most predicted Gibbs would go late in the first round or in the second.

One of the reasons running backs are typically not drafted high is because their careers have shorter shelf lives than other positions.

“You’ve got to take care of your body the right way,” Robinson said.

Even if Robinson’s or Gibbs’ career doesn’t last super long, they are set to be well-compensated on their rookie contracts, which are slotted and will be similar to those who were picked in the same spots last year.

Last year’s eighth overall pick — who was also selected by the Falcons — wide receiver Drake London signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $21.5 million contract, including a $12.8 million signing bonus and an annual salary of $5.4 million.

Weirdly enough, the Lions also picked No. 12 last year too. Wide receiver Jameson Williams signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $17.5 million contract, including a $9.9 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $4.4 million.

In addition to the financial value his selection represented, Robinson expressed pride in showing that the running back position still matters.

“To see that there’s two guys that went eight and 12,” he said, “that’s just such a blessing.”