When the Atlanta Falcons selected Bijan Robinson eighth overall in the 2023 NFL draft—the highest selection of a running back since 2018—there was immediately plenty of hype.
How would the explosive rookie out of Texas translate to the NFL? After being held out of Atlanta’s first preseason game, along with the majority of their starters, the waiting game continued.
Friday night’s game against the Bengals gave everyone their first glimpse of Robinson at the professional level, and he didn’t disappoint, making a one-handed catch and taking it up the field before being pushed out of bounds.
.@Bijan5Robinson with the one-handed catch 🔥
📱: Stream #CINvsATL on #NFLPlus https://t.co/L9mPiySUki pic.twitter.com/cJxd4eDkKk
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2023
After the game, Robinson reflected on his debut, saying, “It felt awesome. It was definitely a blessing to be out there and to show little snippets of the gift God has given me. I know it’s the preseason, but I was ready to go.”
Robinson also had four carries for 20 yards, with a 12-yard run on his first touch. The Falcons clearly don’t want to risk injury in the preseason and are keeping his load light, but that didn’t stop coach Arthur Smith from praising what he saw from the first-round pick, saying, “Bijan Robinson operated fast. It certainly didn’t look too big for him.”
Robinson heads into the season as one of the favorites for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. If he wins, he would be the first Falcon to capture the award since quarterback Matt Ryan in 2008.
