FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Bijan Robinson has a new number with a big Atlanta Falcons history, a freshly signed NFL contract, and huge expectations no rookie running back for this franchise has faced in recent years.
The Falcons announced Friday, the opening day of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp, that Robinson had signed a $21.96 million, four-year contract with a fifth-year option. Robinson then debuted his new No. 7 jersey — the number worn by former Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick — at the camp.
Robinson worked out an agreement with kicker Younghoe Koo, who switched from No. 7 to No. 6, and though no Falcons number has been retired, Robinson said coaches received approval from Vick for the rookie to wear No. 7.
The running back acknowledged he thought twice about taking the number Vick wore for six years in Atlanta after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. Vick was named to three Pro Bowl teams during his time with Atlanta and in 2006 became the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards, less than a year before serving 21 months in federal prison on charges related to his role in a dog fighting ring. He never played for the Falcons again but returned to the NFL in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent time with the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers before his career ended after the 2015 season.
The Falcons honored Vick and receiver Roddy White with a retirement ceremony in 2017.
“The coaches asked Vick if I could wear it, and he was super excited about it,” Robinson said. “I think it’s pretty cool to continue on such a great number. When I was thinking about the number, I was like, ah, I don’t know if I should do it. There’s been some good players that wore it. But it means a lot to the program, and I’m going to ride with it and do it the right way.”
Robinson said Koo was “super cool” with relinquishing the No. 7.
The Falcons’ choice of Robinson at No. 8 overall in last month’s NFL draft was widely regarded as confirmation of the team’s run-first philosophy under third-year coach Arthur Smith.
Robinson is quick to note he expects to be more than a runner in the Atlanta offense. He had 60 catches for 805 yards and eight touchdowns in his college career at Texas while running for 3,410 yards and 33 touchdowns.
He was the first running back to be taken among the first 10 picks in the draft since Saquon Barkley was the second pick in 2018 by the New York Giants. That sets up inevitable comparisons between Robinson and Barkley, who was named rookie of the year and has rushed for 1,000-plus yards three times.
The fit of Robinson in a run-first attack places the former Longhorns star in position to flourish as a rookie. Fanduel Sportsbook lists him as the favorite to be named the league’s offensive rookie of the year, ahead of quarterbacks Bryce Young (picked No. 1 overall by the Carolina Panthers), C.J. Stroud (No. 2 by the Houston Texans) and Anthony Richardson (No. 4 by the Indianapolis Colts).
Robinson said he doesn’t find those projections to be a burden.
“Obviously I’m going to have expectations,” he said. “For me it’s just another opportunity to be the best player I can be. … I’m really more excited to show what I can do as a good teammate and then let everything else go from there.”
Smith said there is room in the offense for Robinson and second-year running back Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for 1,035 yards as a rookie last season, which he finished No. 1 on the team’s depth chart.
The coach has said Robinson’s explosive big-play ability makes him a “home run hitter” in the offense, while Allgeier is “a sledgehammer that’s bludgeoning through their line of scrimmage as the game goes on and wears you down.”
Robinson’s skills may more closely compare with Cordarrelle Patterson, a former receiver and kick returner with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears before moving to running back when he joined the Falcons in 2021. Patterson, 32, continued to line up wide in many formations with the Falcons and will be entering the final year of his contract in 2023.
Robinson’s history playing in the slot at Texas sets him up for a versatile role in Atlanta.
“With Bijan, how he fits, there are a lot of guys that are versatile,” Smith said Friday. “… We feel like we can give some people some unique matchups and continue to push the limits, and we’re excited about all the rookies in it.”