2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bijan Robinson, RB, University of Texas

Texas running back Bijan Robinson is seen as the best running back in the 2023 NFL draft by the majority of analysts.

Bijan Robinson is amongst the best players in the 2023 NFL draft. We break down the skillset he brings to the table here.

Bijan Robinson was one of the most electrifying players in college football over his three seasons for the Texas Longhorns. He was leaned on heavily by the Texas offense and he constantly came through for them.

With his production and skillset he projects well to the NFL, so let’s break down why that is the case.

This scouting report is also available in a video format here. I strongly encourage everyone to watch that video as it allows you to visualize everything I discuss in this scouting report.

Overview

Birthdate: 1/30/2002

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 220 pounds

High School: Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, AZ)

Recruit: 2020 class No. 15 Natl No. 1 RB (247)

2022 Stats: 257 Att 1,575 Yards 18 TD 104 MTF 19 Rec 314 Yards 2 TD

2022 PFF Grade: 95.3

2021 Stats: 195 Att 1,127 Yards 11 TD 79 MTF 26 Rec 293 Yards 4 TD

2021 PFF Grade: 86.7

Strengths

Elusiveness/Ability to make tacklers miss
- Impossible to bring down
  - 2022: 104 missed tackles on 257 rushes- Most of any back since PFF began tracking in 2014.
  - 2021: 79 missed tackles forced on 195 rushes- tied for 3rd in FBS for RBs.
- Open Field
  - Video game like moves in the open field, often makes defenders look silly.
  - Elusiveness is phenomenal- easily the best for a back in this class.
  - Spin moves, cuts, and jump cuts are his to-go moves and are very effective.
- Short Area Quickness
  - Able to navigate small spaces very well and slip out of situations where defenders should be able to get him down.
- Asset in Pass Game
  - Ability with the ball in his hands make him very dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield.
Speed
- Big Play Ability
  - Not quite 4.3 type of world class speed, but certainly has the speed to separate from defenders when he gets in open field.
  - Easily one of the fastest backs in this class.
  - Bijan Robinson has recorded 13 plays of 40+ yards in his career.
Change of Direction
- Ability to change speeds and where he’s going is rare.
- Cuts allow him to break away from defenders and create long runs.
Vision
- Not only does he have the change of direction and speed to break off long runs, but he’s very smart as a runner.
- Does an excellent job of following his blocks and making jump cuts when necessary.
Production
- Bijan Robinson’s production at Texas is simply remarkable, he elevated that offense.
- 2022: 12 games 257 Att 1,575 yards 18 TD 19 Rec 314 yards 2 TD
- PFF Grade: 95.2- second highest of any player in college football.
- 2021: 10 games 195 Att 1,127 yards 11 TD 26 Rec 293 yards 4 TD
- Average of 22.6 touches per game last two seasons.
- Was focal point of Longhorns offense and can do that for an NFL team as well.

Weaknesses

RB Value?
- Positional value of RBs is decreasing in today’s NFL.
- Last four drafts: no RBs off board in first round.
- Exceptional player, but teams may not buy that he’s a Saquon Barkley type of generational talent that is necessary to go in the top five or ten.
Fumbles
- Hard to find holes in his game, but he did have some trouble holding onto the ball at times at UT.
- Six fumbles in his career (three of them were lost).
- This includes a fumble he lost in OT vs Texas Tech this season.
- Doesn’t fumble a lot considering his volume of touches, but still something he’ll want to eliminate from his game.

Bijan Robinson RB Texas: Final Evaluation

Position Rank: RB1

Projection: Top 15 Pick

Bijan Robinson is one of the best players in this draft class. The decreasing value of running backs in today’s NFL knocks his draft stock a bit. However, with the skillset he brings to the table, I believe he comes off the board somewhere in the top 15.