Texas' Bijan Robinson touted as a top-five pick by ESPN's Todd McShay in recent mock draft
ESPN’s Todd McShay opened some eyes and turned some heads when he touted Texas running back Bijan Robinson as his No. 5 selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL mock draft released Tuesday.
[Get FOUR MONTHS of Inside Texas Plus for $1!]
McShay called the Eagles’ upcoming selection at No. 5 a “serious luxury pick” for the 12-win Philadelphia team after landing in the spot via a trade with the Saints in the 2022 offseason. Per ESPN Stats & Information research, the last time a team went to a Super Bowl (as ESPN’s FPI projects for the Eagles) and then had a top-five draft pick was 1992, when Washington won the title and then drafted Desmond Howard fourth overall via a trade-up.
McShay said Robinson is “a special prospect with elite size, speed, power and elusiveness.” Many would consider picking a running back as high as fifth in the draft to be risky, and McShay understands that it might be “too early.”
“I know the arguments are coming, and I agree 99 percent of the time,” he said. “But why (should the Eagles) spend heavily on re-signing (Miles) Sanders or bringing in another back in free agency when Robinson – who is an upgrade – is available here on a rookie deal? Dropping him into the league’s best offense would be scary for every other team.”
Sanders, the Eagles’ rushing leader, is set to be a free agent for a team that leans heavily on the run. Philadelphia has racked up 433 rushes through its first 13 games, second most in the NFL.
Kudos roll in
Robinson was named a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association on Wednesday, making him the 23rd Longhorn in program history and first since 2017 to earn unanimous All-American honors based on the five outlets recognized by the NCAA.
The 2022 Doak Walker Award winner as the nation’s best running back, Robinson leads the nation in tandem yards with 1,894 (1,580 rushing, 314 receiving) and is second in total touchdowns (20) while averaging a Big 12-best 131.7 rushing yards and 157.83 all-purpose yards per game.
He has nine 100-yard rushing games in the last 10 outings, including a pair of 200-yard efforts, and has rushed for a touchdown in 10 of 12 games this year.
