Mock Draft Round-Up: Where the experts see Bijan Robinson going in recent predictions
The 2023 NFL Draft begins on April 27, and former Texas running back Bijan Robinson is likely to become the first Longhorn offensive player selected in the first round since Vince Young was picked third overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2006.
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Robinson is the top running back prospect and one of the most highly-lauded players in this year’s draft. However, various team needs and the prevailing modern thought about running backs and their value may make the possibility of Robinson joining Young as a top-ten pick all the more fleeting.
Still, the 2022 Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous All-American selection is almost assured to be taken within the first 31 picks (Miami was docked its first-round selection by the league).
Here is where Robinson is projected to go in various recent mock drafts by the leading prognosticators.
Mel Kiper – ESPN
Pick: No. 27
Team: Buffalo Bills
Kiper’s take: “I keep coming back to Robinson being perfect for this Bills offense. He could be a security blanket for Josh Allen in the pass game, and he can rip off chunk plays as a ball carrier. He breaks a ton of tackles and has tremendous vision. He’s the most complete back in this class. As I’ve written before, Robinson is a top-10 prospect on my board, but his positional value means he’s going to drop into the 20s. I know Buffalo has James Cook and just added Damien Harris on a one-year deal, but Robinson is on another level. This is a team that can afford to target a luxury position in Round 1.”
Todd McShay – ESPN
Pick: No. 18
Team: Detroit Lions
McShay’s take: “Fans will question just about any landing spot for Robinson because of his position, but consider how heavily the Lions lean on the run and what Robinson can do for an offense. We’re talking about a top-five talent in this class who can break free with burst through the hole, make defenders miss with his strength and haul in passes with his reliable hands. Jamaal Williams is gone to New Orleans, and D’Andre Swift has struggled to stay healthy and is entering the final year of his contract. Yes, Detroit signed David Montgomery, but he has rushed for 100-plus yards just three times over the past two seasons. Robinson had only three games under 100 rushing yards last year.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, this would be the highest a running back has been drafted since the Giants took Saquon Barkley at No. 2 in 2018. But Robinson is special. Other options for Detroit include tight end or continuing down the defensive rebuild path, but with four picks in the first two rounds, it can afford to make this luxury selection and fill some other holes down the road.”
Bruce Feldman – The Athletic
Pick: No. 10
Team: Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans Saints)
Feldman’s take: “Lukas Van Ness might’ve made sense here, but he’s gone. Philly needs more help at safety than corner and it’s too soon to jump for Brian Branch or Sydney Brown. They need some help at running back, and this is one of the most gifted prospects to come along in a few years. The 5 feet 11, 215-pounder who ran 4.46 at the combine with a 1.52 10-yard split is the complete package and was the best thing Texas football had in a long time. He thrived despite playing with shaky QBs and an inexperienced O-line.”
Lance Zierlein – NFL.com
Pick: No. 23
Team: Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota Vikings)
Zierlein’s take: “Buffalo can smell the Super Bowl, and the best way to get there might be to jump up and lock in a three-down back who can take pressure off QB Josh Allen and help the Bills control games more efficiently.”
Bucky Brooks – NFL.com
Pick: No. 21
Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Brooks’ take: “Whether or not they hang on to Austin Ekeler, the Chargers could look to add a big back with a diverse skill set to the backfield rotation. Robinson is an electric playmaker with big-play potential as a runner-receiver possessing size, speed, vision and wiggle.”
Daniel Jeremiah – NFL.com
Pick: No. 14
Team: New England Patriots
Jeremiah’s take: “The Patriots don’t think like every other franchise. I believe they could see Robinson as a valuable addition instead of a player at a non-premium position. He would team up with Rhamondre Stevenson to give New England one of the best backfields in the NFL.”
