At just 22, NFL running back Robinson is already turning heads. His performance so far has drawn praise from top-tier talent in the league, specifically the experienced 31-year-old Mathieu.
On the Green Light with Chris Long podcast, the Honey Badger (Tyrann Mathieu) himself named Robinson as the next big thing, bestowing the highest level of commendation on the young player.
Launched onto the NFL stage in 2023 by the Falcons, Robinson is now being compared to hall-of-famer running backs like Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James, and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Mathieu was certainly generous with his praise, as is evident from his words – “He’s going to be special.” “Marshall Faulk, you know. Edgerrin James, you know what I mean? Like, LaDainian Tomlinson, you know? And I didn’t think the Falcons really used him as good as they should have last year, but, man, he’s going to be good.”
Yet, Mathieu didn’t forget to throw shade at the Falcons for their perceived underutilization of a gem like Robinson.
Despite Atlanta’s eighth overall selection of Robinson during the 2023 NFL Draft, there were criticisms about his usage. As per Mathieu, the Falcons failed to fully showcase Robinson’s potential.
Saints DB Tyrann Mathieu on RB Bijan Robinson: "I didn't think the Falcons really used him as good as they should have"https://t.co/EMvGogVwpl pic.twitter.com/ZbeYQIAC49
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 2, 2024
Looking at the numbers, Robinson’s rookie season does showcase inconsistencies and untapped potential.
Out of a total of 214 carries, he averaged 4.6 yards compared to his teammate Allgeier’s 3.7 over 186 carries.
Even in terms of attempts, he was behind his teammate with an average of just 12.6, while Allgeier averaged 10.9. In total, Robinson accumulated 1,463 scrimmage yards.
Despite these numbers, Robinson proved his mettle in the Week 12 win against Mathieu’s Saints by scoring two total touchdowns and rushing for 91 yards.
This performance is one among many that hopefully marks the beginnings of a fruitful NFL career.
