Despite recent theories, Eagles shouldn’t draft Bijan Robinson tenth-overall
When the NFL kicks off its annual free-agency frenzy in March, the belief is Miles Sanders and Boston Scott won’t be extended by the Philadelphia Eagles and that they’ll be allowed to explore other options. They were the top two running backs on Philly’s depth chart if you’re keeping score. Sanders earned a Pro Bowl nod.
Think about that for a second. If you do so, you’ll arrive at a theory. It’s one that you’ve no doubt thought about before.
Running backs aren’t valued in the manner that they once were, even if they’re relatively young. That brings us to the man that is universally regarded as the 2023 NFL Draft class’s best prospect at the position, Bijan Robinson.
In recent months, we’ve seen ESPN’s Todd McShay, in an earlier mock draft, project the former Texas Longhorns standout to the Birds, and he did so when he thought Philly might wind up with a top-five selection. Here’s our question. Is that wise? Here’s another while we’re on the subject.
If the Philadelphia Eagles don’t view the running back position as a premium position and they’re willing to allow Sanders the freedom to walk, why would they ever invest the tenth-overall selection into a running back when they have needs at areas that they clearly value more?
Here are the cold hard facts. If Bijan Robinson is someone that Philly thinks highly of, they have a few questions to ask themselves. Is he worthy of the tenth draft choice? Will he be available if they wait until the 30th overall selection? Would they trade up from 30 to take him?
Bijan Robinson would be a day-one starter for most NFL teams, but the Eagles should avoid all temptation to spend the tenth-overall selection on him.
Before moving forward, let’s answer the above questions. No, Bijan Robinson won’t be available when the Eagles are on the clock with the 30th-overall selection. Someone will have grabbed him by then.
It’s also unlikely when looking at what they’ve done historically to believe Howie Roseman will trade up in Round 1 to take him after Philly has made its first choice. That means we’re back to the dilemma about what should be done at ten.
Should Philly invest the tenth-overall selection to acquire Robinson’s services? In our opinion, and this isn’t a knock on Bijan’s talent or skill set, that’s too high to draft a tailback in today’s NFL, even one as good as we all know Bijan Robinson is.
Everything that’s been said prior to now was uttered so that we might state the following… Here’s where we’ll leave this. When someone is drafted tenth overall in any selection meeting, the goal is to acquire someone that will be a starter on your team’s roster for at least eight to ten seasons. The reality of the situation is this. That isn’t happening with running backs anymore, not in the NFL.
No other position on the field takes as much punishment. No other position on the field has a shorter shelf life. You try letting 265-pound linebackers and near-300-pound defensive linemen that run the 40-yard dash in five seconds or less get a head of steam and crash into you 20 times in three hours. The human body isn’t built to take that level of abuse. That fact doesn’t change because we’re discussing the best athletes in the world.
Though you’ll see sustained success often and near-MVP level runs season after season from time to time (Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley, and Derrick Henry), those guys aren’t coming around as often. Eventually, every tailback that hangs around too long falls off of a cliff from a physical standpoint. Again, see Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley, and Derrick Henry if you need examples of that fact.
Taking Bijan Robinson at ten would reap immediate awards for Philadelphia. There’s no doubt about it. He’s that level of player, but if we weigh Philly’s future versus current needs and the best players that we figure to be available when the Birds are on the clock at ten, the Eagles would be wise to invest in a top-tier talent at another position, particularly one that plays on defense.
They can pick up a tailback in a later round if they choose to. Check out UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet, Ole Miss’s Zach Evans, and Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh if you haven’t already. Trust us on this one. Philly will be able to find a quality tailback if they move on from Miles Sanders and pass on Bijan Robinson.
Another theory is the following. Running backs have the easiest path to immediate success within a structured professional offense because they have the majority of the license to freelance. If a hole is filled, a carry that is designed to be run inside can be bounced to the outside. Tailbacks can follow their blockers or change their course if something else opens.
Longtime Eagles analyst Howard Eskin once stated running backs grow on trees. We probably wouldn’t take it that far, but in a sense, he’s somewhat correct.
It would be easier for Philly to find a consolation prize for Robinson than it would be to find elite defensive tackles and cornerbacks on Day 2. That’s the difference in talent level when we evaluate other positions, and that’s exactly why the Birds can’t spend their first draft choice on a tailback.
