First round (8th overall ) – Bijan Robinson, running back
Age: 21. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 222. Arm: 31-1/8. Hands: 9-3/4. 40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds. 10-yard shuttle: 1.52. Vertical Jump: 37 inches. Broad Jump: 10 feet, 4 inches: Hometown: Tucson, Arizona. Overview: He was an unanimous All-American in 2021 and winner of the 2022 Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back. He played in 31 games and made 28 starts for the Longhorns. He finished ranked fourth in Texas history with 3,410 yards rushing and 41 total touchdowns (33 rushing, eight receiving). Robinson finished his collegiate career with 18 career 100-yard rushing games, the fourth-most in Texas history, which included a streak of seven consecutive games in 2022 that is the third-longest in program history. A versatile back, Robinson’s hauled in 60 receptions for 805 yards (13.4 ypc) and eight touchdowns, with the 805 receiving yards ranking third all-time by a Texas running back. Robinson is the sixth Texas player drafted by the Falcons in program history and the first since defensive tackle Ta’Quon Graham was picked in the fifth round of the 2021 draft. He is the second Longhorn chosen in the first round by the Falcons, joining Tommy Nobis who was the draft’s No. 1 overall pick in 1966.
AJC’S 2023 POSITION-BY-POSITION DRAFT SERIES
WIDE RECEIVERS – Past few drafts have spoiled NFL teams looking for wide receivers | Top 10 WRs
RUNNING BACKS – Running backs Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs may have to wait to hear their names called | Top 10 RBs
TIGHT ENDS – Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer heads a dee TE class | Top 10 TEs
QUARTERBACKS – Bryce Young’s small stature no longer an issue in the NFL | Top 10 QBs
OFFENSIVE LINE – Skoronski’s short arm length being scrutinized for left tackle | Top 5 C,G, &OTs
DEFENSIVE LINE – Is Jalen Carter the real deal or a potential bust? | Top 5 DTs, DEs
LINEBACKERS – Dutchtown’s Will Anderson expected to go in the top 5 of NFL draft | Top LBs
CORNERBACKS – Former Georgia standout Kelee Ringo one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL draft | Top CBs
SAFETIES – Alabama’s Brian Branch, Jordan Battle are top safeties in the NFL draft | Top FS/SS
SPECIAL TEAMS – Michigan’s Jake Moody hopes to kick way to NFL draft | Top STs
The Bow Tie Chronicles
About the Author
