I hope everyone is having a great day!
Thank you all for reaching out. The official 2023 NFL Draft Bible PDF and hard copy have been sent to the publisher for final clearance. This process typically takes less than a week so it is my intention to be posting the PDF to the paid members area by this time next week.
Purchase the 2023 NFL Draft Bible hard copy only 250 copies will go to print.
Pro Day Speed Burners: Six 40 Times That Caught NFL Scouts' Attention
This article is brought to you by Foresight Financial CPA
Have a question about Bijan Robinson? Email me
Robinson, who was a five-star recruit when he was coming out of high school; the first player in Arizona high school football history to twice win the Ed Doherty Award as the state’s top player; first running back in state history to top 2,000 yards in three-straight. he partnered with several companies such as DAZN, Raising Cane’s, C4 energy drink and Athletic Brewing.
Comes from an athletic family. His grandfather, Cleo, was an all-state linebacker and track standout as a high schooler in Arizona and went on to star in track & field at Northern Arizona.. His great uncle, Cleo's brother, Paul, lettered one year at Arizona before starring as a running back in the NFL. A third-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1968, he rushed for 1,023 yards as a rookie and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his six-year NFL career (Bengals, 1968-72; Houston Oilers, 1972-73).
Evaluation:
In recent years, the running back position has seen a sharp decrease in its perceived value. While a talented athlete out of the backfield undoubtedly benefits the offense, NFL teams have been able to scheme success for its runners or otherwise threaten defenses with committee systems. That said, well-rounded backs like Texas’s Bijan Robinson are legitimate difference-makers in the league. Listed at an excellent 6000 and 221 pounds on the Longhorns’ roster, the Arizona native can immediately serve as a primary back in the NFL. Robinson boasts stellar linear and lateral burst with angle-beating long speed. He precedes sudden, sharp cuts with salesmanship to force defensive backs into awkward positions. He can and does string cuts together. Further, he has very flexible hips, knees, and ankles that aid his change of direction. His impressive balance is evident through his cuts and through contact. What’s more, Robinson has the power and leg drive to run through tackles and even carry defenders with him. He drops his pad level in anticipation of contact and runs with a natural forward lean that offers increased power and momentum while simultaneously reducing the surface area that opponents can target. Additionally, Robinson is an instinctive runner who knows how to take advantage of poor angles and avoid big hits. He is a patient back who is rarely tackled for loss. Robinson is also a high-level route runner with reliable hands; he can work from the backfield, the slot, and out wide. All that said, the Longhorns’ star leaves too much on the field as a runner. His commitment to picking up yards no matter what leads him to play conservatively and, at times, miss open space. He cannot always play out of structure and does not know when to bounce his runs. Robinson is also an inconsistent blocker. His feet stagnate into and through contact, he leads with his shoulder, and he gets off balance. He sometimes fails to pick up blitzers in pass protection. Finally, his wear and tear as Texas’ primary offensive weapon for what will be three straight years may concern teams. All in all, Bijan Robinson is an elite offensive weapon that offers low-risk, high-reward potential in the NFL. If he can improve as a blocker and stay healthy, he can be a truly special back in the league.
Grade:
1st Round
Medical:
Suffered a dislocated elbow in mid-November of 2021, ending his season prematurely.
Quotes:
“I learned a lot these first two years being a college football player. I know that God gave me a gift, but I learned how to read certain defenses, watch film, grow mentally. At Texas, (running backs coach Stan Drayton) has been a huge help for me, and he’s helped out so many guys like Ezekiel Elliott and other big names in the NFL. (Drayton) has taught me so much about being a better leader. You know me, I lead by example and I don’t say much, but my voice will be a huge deal for me going into this season. I’m gonna let the guys hear me instead of just watch, and they can get energy off that. I want to use my voice for certain situations and just be more vocal around the whole team.”
Latest News:
12/04/21 – Texas running back Bijan Robinson has become an in-demand spokesperson this year. Thanks to NIL, Robinson has earned endorsement deals with Raising Cane's, Pinkerton's Barbecue and the Athletic Brewing Company. He's modeled the new men's collection produced by Kendra Scott. It was recently announced that he'll be a brand ambassador for DAZN, a boxing streaming service. But in addition to all that, Robinson is also a spokesperson for the UT football team. Robinson recently made an appearance on an Instagram Live broadcast that was hosted by UT football recruit Derrick Brown. Malik Agbo, a four-star offensive lineman with a Texas offer, also was on the call at the time.
Background:
Bijan Robinson, a two time Ed Doherty Award winner during his school days as the top high school football player, is a player the Longhorns love and have loved from the very beginning. His freshman year, he was on the honorable mention list for the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and the accolades improved in 2021 where he was named First Team All Big 12 and also Honorable Mention as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Robinson had broken several records in his home state of Arizona with one being the first back ever to run for two thousand yards in three straight seasons. With those awards in high school and at Texas, Robinson is embarking on a strong year for the Longhorns in 2022.Bijan Robinson, a two time Ed Doherty Award winner during his school days as the top high school football player, is a player the Longhorns love and have loved from the very beginning. His freshman year, he was on the honorable mention list for the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and the accolades improved in 2021 where he was named First Team All Big 12 and also Honorable Mention as Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Robinson had broken several records in his home state of Arizona with one being the first back ever to run for two thousand yards in three straight seasons. With those awards in high school and at Texas, Robinson is embarking on a strong year for the Longhorns in 2022.
Strengths
Three-down back with exceptional talent in all phases.
Owns a variety of footwork tools to alter pace, direction and power.
Feet are fast and fully connected with his vision for optimal results.
Resets run track with sudden jump-cuts against penetration.
Runs low to the ground and possesses rare contact balance.
Ability to stack moves adds a level of unpredictability to his carries.
Pinballs off of angle strikes and can rip through leg tackles.
Pairs instant burst with solid top-end speed.
Finishes runs with authority.
Soft hands and a nightmare to deal with on wheel routes.
Weaknesses
Might need to quicken operation time against speedy NFL defenses.
Occasionally looks to better deal run lanes when he should be finishing.
Needs to run with a more decisive plant-and-go mentality.
Needs more consistent urgency in pass protection duties.
Q&A with Bijan Robinson at the NFL Combine
"I can do all three for your offense, whether it's a unique player at receiver or in the slot and, obviously, at running back. Just creating mismatches for defenders all over the field and being able to create space for yourself and the offense and opening up the offense, like a have high value everybody should look at. I know there's a lot of running backs in this class that have that quality. It's important to see those kind of skillsets and how we go about our business on the field."
Have you been hearing the NFL scouts compare you to other RB’s?
"Word's been going around that my pro comp is Saquon. I want to be myself. There are so many great running backs out there. In a year, we're both going to be competitors and try to go after the same things, so I'm just trying to enjoy this process. I know people have compared me a lot (to Barkley), but it's just me trying to be myself and to be the man God blessed me to be."
Thoughts on playing with Texans and RB Dameon Pierce?
"That would mean everything. He's done it right in his first season in the NFL. I respect his game a lot. For me, if that's the case, I'll go there and learn as much as I can behind him, compete my butt off to make him a better player and to make me a better player to make sure it's a smooth transition to play with somebody like that. I think it's important to always have two running backs that can complement each other. You last longer in the league if that's the case. He's a great player, and if that's the case, I'm all for it."
What practice drills are you focused on?
"It's a gift from God, but you, obviously, have to work on it every single day. I'm a knee-bender when I run the ball. Another guy that was a knee bender was Barry Sanders to try to redirect and try to be as low to the ground as you can get and understand you have to feel defenders, and read their shoulders and read angles to break as many tackles as you can to try to get north and south. I take pride in that. I do so many drills with my coach at Texas - coach (Tashard) Choice - and he really implements that a lot in my drills. Sometimes it's really tough, but in games, they really pay off a lot."
With running game making a comeback and how does he make people pay for not stacking the box against him?
"All through college, people were stacking the box. I feel like that's a sign of respect (because) you're a competitor. For me, any defense that comes out, I'm trying to dissect it and I'm trying to find ways to open holes and create lanes for myself no matter what it is - eight in the box, nine in the box, seven in the box - I'm just trying to figure out ways to find those creases because dudes are shooting gaps and making sure I don't get inside runs, outside runs. It paid dividends with the blocking I had at Texas. They did a great job of creating lanes and creating space for me to find open lanes."
Would he like to play with Justin Fields?
"Justin's my guy. He's a super-solid guy. He's a great quarterback (and) if it was me and Fields in the backfield that would be something special. He's a special player, and it would be pretty fun to . . . we see each other in the summer and work on things together. He's a great guy."
What things he did in practice he didn't try in games?
"We would be in team run sessions every single day. (Linebacker) DeMarvin (Overshown), he's a hell of a competitor. That dude's explosive. He'd kind of figure out what we were about to do. Sometimes, I'd kind of figure out what he was going to do, too. He'd shoot the gap, and sometimes I'd have to make, like, drastic moves off of him just because he's coming in full speed, and a guy that big coming in at full speed, you need to have a plan. Like immediately. So I would do, like, some spin I'd never done before, and it would just happen because when he'd come like that, I'd be like, 'Oh, shoot, I've got to get away from him.' DeMarvin is a great player, and he made me better all my career. I tried to make him just as great all his career. Those team run sessions, they got heated a lot of the time."
Any other thoughts on the upcoming draft?
"God has a plan for wherever I want to be at, personally. You never know on that day where you're going to go. For me, it's important to keep enjoying the moment because we might get to draft day and some surprise could happen. We never know. For me, I'm just trying to keep staying positive and always know the blessings are here and keep having fun."
Thoughts on Will Anderson's comment about Robinson being the toughest player he went against)
"My reaction was he was the toughest player I played against. He brings out everything in a player. For him being who he is - and I think he's been the best defensive player in college football ever since he stepped on the field at Alabama. Just preparing for a guy like that, he's the most respected player I've played against. Being able to talk to him now that we have the same agent (Nicole Lynn), it's just so great to be with a guy like that and to understand where he's coming from on the field. Every single play, I had to do something to (keep) him on his toes, but he was right there in my face. He let me know that he's there. He's the best defensive player I've played against and to watch film against to see about his game and where he was going to be. I appreciate him for saying that. It's cool to have somebody like that in your corner. I'm looking forward to us being in the league and, hopefully, continuing the same things."
Who is Roschon Johnson, his teammate and fellow RB?
"Roschon is the best teammate I've ever had. He brings out so much in a player and the team just how he goes about being a leader. Not just his teammates but everybody in the community. I think that who he is as a person and what he does on the field - I don't think he's overlooked because he chose his presence and made his presence felt. Roschon is a god. He's the other great running back in this class, and I don't think people should overlook the talent he has and the skillset that he brings. I think he's just as good as anybody. His toughness and heart make him stand out over everybody."
What about the Bears making guys play darts or putt-putt?
"It's a cool thing to go in the meeting and feel loose and not so uptight. I played darts (won)."
Who are his top-three RBs in the NFL?
"Christian McCaffrey. I like guys that can do it all. Saquon. And I like Breece Hall (who played at Iowa State against Texas) a lot."
(met with a team I couldn't hear)
"Yes, I met with them, and it went great. I love the whole staff. They're great people. I could tell what they're trying to do with the program. We'll see going down the line where (I) end up and how it goes."
Does he know Saquon?
"Yeah, I talk to him over social media and over text message. We have each other's number. Maybe we can get some training sessions in before we go off to our respective teams this offseason. That might be a plan down the line."
Are you doing things in the community?
"Obviously, I play for God because he blessed me to play the game. For me, there are so many people I can help in advance of them watching me on the field
and for me trying to be a role model - not just kids and not just teenagers - but for everybody. People see me on the field, but I love it when people ask me about off-the-field stuff and they see what I'm trying to do for communities and everybody I try to talk to. And then, on top of that, like when I'm on the field, I can see so many smiles on people's faces. I'm just a positive guy that loves to put a smile on somebody's face. That's why I love that motivation. That's why I love playing the game."
He talks about Barry Sanders. How much has he watched him)
"I watch him probably every other day. I'm always trying to mimic his moves. He was so good at doing things you couldn't do. He was the guy where every single time he touched the ball you would stand up to see what he was trying to do. There'd be some full games on YouTube and I'll watch them all - every single game he did. He's the most exciting player I've seen on a highlight tape. If God can bless me to be at that caliber one day, that would be amazing."
Why should he be No. 1 running back drafted?
"I just feel like at the size I'm at and doing the things I can do on the field whether it's pass catch, line up at receiver or in the slot - pretty much line up anywhere you need me to be - it's valued if you have a guy that can run routes and the next play will run between the tackles and try to make as much of a difference as possible. Doing everything I can that's necessary and doing it at a high level. When I'm at receiver, they have to account for me because I can be a difference-maker in the offense and for the team."
What kind of music does he listen to before gams?
"Before games, I listen to the ocean. I listen to the birds chirping. I close my eyes - and I'm already amped up - and when the game starts, I'm like chillin, looking around and listening to something soft to get my mind right."
Ric sits down with John Schmeelk of Giants.com sit down to discuss the deepest positions in the draft, break down the best players in each position groups, and evaluate which rounds they could be drafted. YouTube.
Around the scouting world
Along with The Scouting Academy’s Dan Hatman, Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy will host Scout School June 4-7 in Mobile. This year, registration is open solely to former NFL players with at least two years of playing experience in the league. In addition to an effort to give ex-players a chance to stay in the game, Jim and Dan are also helping bring more “football guys” into front offices with this endeavor.
Neil Stratton recaps the scouting Industry 2023 NFL Best Draft Awards
• Phil Steele College Football Preview Magazine
• Digital Version of Phil Steele College Football Preview Magazine
• Phil Steele Plus from date of purchase through September
• Four issues of Inside the Pressbox• FREE SHIPPING
Voter on 20 College Football Awards including Heisman FWAA All American Committee
Ric Serritella on Bijan Robinson