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Atlanta makes the call to Bijan Robinson as No. 8 overall 2023 NFL Draft pick

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby: On3 Staff Report04/28/23
Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns running back
Texas running back Bijan Robinson walks toward the stage at the 2023 NFL Draft on April 27, 2023. (Kirby Lee / USA TODAY Sports)

The Atlanta Falcons made early waves in the 2023 NFL Draft when they selected Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.

Robinson will add some instant production in the backfield after a remarkably successful career for the Longhorns.

“Let’s go! Thank God, man,” Robinson said as he accepted the phone call that would make him a Falcons player. “Man, I appreciate you. I appreciate you, man, God is good.”

Atlanta released footage of the call with Robinson, which you can check out below.

Needless to say, both sides are excited about the new pairing, which will send Robinson to the southeast to play his professional ball.

Prior to the 2023 NFL Draft, Bijan Robinson has already carved up most of the Big 12.

The star spent three years suiting up for the Longhorns and making life easy on his quarterbacks. Robinson totaled 539 carries for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. He also added 60 catches for 805 yards and eight more touchdowns.

The Falcons joked with him about bringing more than just his ability to tote the rock.

“The only thing I’ve got to say is either you or TQ’s got to bring some of that Terry Black barbecue back up here,” Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith said.

Atlanta is certainly hoping Robinson is capable of barbecuing a few NFC South opponents come the fall.

Take any running back in the top 10 of the NFL Draft and that’s the expectation. Bijan Robinson is certainly capable of living up to that expectation, and the Falcons expressed as much to Robinson in the very first phone call with their new running back.

“Go Horns, congratulations Bijan,” team owner Arthur Blank said. “We’re so darn excited I can’t tell you. This is a dream for us. We’ve been working hard on this draft for a long time and your name just kept coming up, coming up, coming up. The quality of the players and the quality of the person, we couldn’t be happier that you’re joining the Atlanta Falcons.”