Todd McShay calls Bijan Robinson the 'next Saquon Barkley'

Bijan Robinson is the top running back prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class for a reason and the expectations for the former Texas star are rightfully through the roof.

ESPN’s Todd McShay compared Robinson to New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley — high praise for the explosive Longhorn.

“My favorite pick in this entire mock draft? Bijan Robinson, running back, to Mel Kiper’s Baltimore Ravens,” McShay said on a mock draft special on ESPN. “… Bijan Robinson, to me, is the next Saquon Barkley. He can do everything you want in terms of forced missed tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield, pass protection.”

McShay slotted Baltimore to take Robinson No. 22 overall and noted that current top running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are both entering the final year of their respective contracts. Robinson could find himself as the Raven’s RB1 entering his second year in the NFL.

Matt Miller, McShay’s fellow ESPN draft analyst called him the total package in regards to speed and ability to lower his shoulder and pick up tough yards in the trenches. Robinson rushed for 1,580 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season, and he’s also a very good receiving threat out of the backfield with 314 receiving yards.

The former Texas star leads a running back class littered with talent. Alabama‘s Jahmyr Gibbs, Auburn‘s Tank Bigsby, among others in this group have a real shot of carving out a good career for themselves. Leading the group says a lot about how NFL teams feel about Robinson’s abilities.

The 2023 NFL Draft gets underway from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri, where Robinson will expect to hear his number during night one.