- Atlanta Falcons running back, Bijan Robinson, has the best odds to win the 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year award at Bovada.
- Robinson was selected by the Falcons with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
- The former Texas Longhorn is the first running back selected in the Top 10 since Saquon Barkley in 2018.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada, Bijan Robinson is expected to be the most productive rookie out of the 2023 class. Robinson has +275 odds to win the 2023 NFL Rookie of the Year award.
The Falcons’ Robinson was taken on Thursday night with the No. 8 overall selection in the NFL Draft. Following an impactful career in the backfield at Texas, the Falcons are confident that Robinson will be a franchise-caliber running back.
The only time a team would select a running back this high in the draft is if they believed he is going to be an impact player.
Falcons Have A Clear Offensive Identity
The Falcons did not necessarily have to draft a running back with the No. 8 overall pick. They were adequate on the ground last season. However, GM Terry Fontenot pulled the trigger on adding Robinson to the equation.
In 2022, rookie running back Tyler Allgeier ran well for the Falcons. He compiled 1,035 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns. The former BYU Cougar also chipped in with 16 receptions and 139 yards receiving.
Like I said God had it written all along! So happy to get rollin with the @AtlantaFalcons #biablessing pic.twitter.com/Ldw7UdRKii
— Bijan Robinson (@Bijan5Robinson) April 28, 2023
In addition, veteran Cordarrelle Patterson was a steady performer for the Falcons. The 32-year-old contributed 695 rushing yards on 4.8 yards per carry and 8 touchdowns. The wide receiver-turned-running back collected 21 receptions and 122 receiving yards.
The Falcons were already fine at running back with Allgeier and Patterson returning in 2023. Nevertheless, with two young and talented running backs on the depth chart, the Falcons are carving out an offensive identity.
The offense is going to heavily rely on the running game. After appearing in four games last year, second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder will be handing the ball off to Robinson and Allgeier often.
In 2023, running the ball and winning the time of possession battle is how the Falcons are going to go about their business. Robinson is well on track to play a pivotal role in the Falcons’ plans in Atlanta right out of the gate in Week 1.
Heavy Workload For Robinson Expected
At Texas, Robinson acted as a workhorse with 539 carries in three seasons. He ran for 3,410 yards on 6.3 yards per carry and got into the end zone 33 times on the ground.
Robinson showed his versatility as a receiver out of the backfield too. The Longhorn caught 60 passes for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is a multi-talented running back that should be the focal point of the offense pretty quickly.
In his final season, Robinson gained 1,580 rushing yards on 6.1 yards per attempt. He celebrated in the end zone 18 times as a runner and 2 receiving touchdowns.
Austin to ATL‼️
With the 8th pick, the Falcons got their RB in Bijan Robinson. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/CqKbPrvTjU
— ESPN (@espn) April 28, 2023
Robinson is joining a good situation with the Falcons. There are two big checkmarks in his favor. For one, the Falcons are going to focus on the run, so he will see plenty of work as a rookie.
Additionally, the Falcons have one of the better offensive lines in the NFL. Most certainly one of the more underrated units. Right guard Chris Lindstrom was an All-Pro second-team offensive lineman for the Falcons last season.
They also brought back offensive tackle Kaleb McGary on a three-year $34.5 million deal. These two linemen are expected to anchor this offensive line for the foreseeable future.
Bryce Young Trails Robinson In Betting Markets To Win ROY
According to Bovada, the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft owns the second-best odds to win Rookie of the Year. Bryce Young was off the board with the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers.
Young was likely expected to be favored to win the ROY award by most football fans. However, oddsmakers at Bovada have Young listed as the second favorite at +450 odds.
BRYCE YOUNG IS OFFICIALLY A CAROLINA PANTHER‼️ #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LUdmHcOihA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2023
It is never easy to have a huge impact as a rookie quarterback on a bad team. Young’s ROY odds are reflecting this notion. Robinson is in a better situation to produce right away, hence the +275 odds to win the award.
Currently, there are two quarterbacks behind Young at Bovada. Second pick C.J. Stroud and fourth pick Anthony Richardson both have +700 wins to win 2023 Rookie of the Year honors.
Another player that should be in a good position to succeed right away is wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Smith-Njigba should get plenty of looks from quarterback Geno Smith as defenses attempt to stop him, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett.
Going into May, the rookie out of Ohio State has the fifth-best odds to win the award at +800. Despite his positive situation in Seattle, oddsmakers have him and the rest of this rookie class well behind Robinson to win the 2023 Rookie of the Year.
