We’ve already gone over how running back should a priority for the New Orleans Saints this offseason, but could they go for broke and add the best prospect at that position in the 2023 NFL draft? The Saints were named as an ideal destination for Texas Longhorns superstar running back Bijan Robinson, with Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine making the case for him in New Orleans:
“Bijan Robinson is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft given how NFL teams have pivoted away from spending premium picks on running back. Saquon Barkley is the only running back to be selected before the 24th overall pick since 2018, but Robinson is the B/R Scouting Department’s fourth overall prospect.
Robinson is a do-it-all back who can impact the passing game but has the elite athleticism to break off big runs as well. He isn’t a scheme-dependent back, so he can be utilized as an offensive weapon in a variety of ways.
The Saints at No. 29 should be the floor for Robinson. Alvin Kamara is turning 28 in July, and the history of RBs declining before their 30s suggests they should be thinking about a long-term solution. Unrelated to that, Kamara was indicted Thursday for an alleged beating from last February that could result in a suspension.
Robinson would give the Saints an exit strategy as they continue to build an offense without a clear plan at quarterback right now.”
There’s a clear gulf between Robinson and the rest of the running backs in this draft class, with Alabama’s Jahmyr Gibbs a distant runner-up who could join him in the first round. But there aren’t any other prospects with Robinson’s proven production as a runner and receiver. He’s going to be a much-hyped 21-year-old rookie wherever he ends up after averaging 6.3 yards per carry on 539 career rushing attempts at Texas; he left college with 4,215 scrimmage yards and 41 total touchdowns.
Will Robinson even make it to the Saints at No. 29? Other teams linked to him in this piece include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 overall and the Buffalo Bills at No. 27, both of whom are picking ahead of New Orleans. The Saints shouldn’t trade up for Robinson or any other running back, especially given how few picks they have to work with this year and next.
But there’s also a bit of a stigma on first-round running backs in general, with the position being undervalued as of late, and a vocal crowd of fans and analysts often point to it as example of poor asset management. At the same time, there’s absolutely a scenario where Robinson is the best player available when the Saints are on the clock at No. 29, and he would make an instant impact on their offense. Whether he’s splitting carries for Kamara or filling in for him during a suspension, the rookie has significantly more juice than the guys who backed up Kamara in recent years. He’s someone to watch carefully in the months ahead.