BACKGROUND

Bijan Robinson is an RB prospect out of Arizona. He had one of the most storied careers in Arizona high school football. He ended his high school career with 7036 rushing yards and 114 TDs. After his senior season, he was awarded the Arizona Gatorade Football Player of the Year. According to Rivals, he was a five-star RB prospect and the top RB of his class. He committed to play for the Texas Longhorns.

COLLEGE CAREER

As a freshman, Bijan was able to get reps early on in his career. In 86 carries, he was able to rush for 703 yards and four TDs. His best performance came in the Alamo Bowl where he won MVP for his performance. In his sophomore season, they let him loose even more when he ran for 1127 yards and 11 TDs. This was his best pass-catching year as he caught 26 passes for 295 yards and four TDs. He was named First-Team All-Big 12.

2022-2023 COLLEGE CAREER

The Texas RB ended his career with an even more impressive season. He ran for 1580 yards and 18 TDs as a junior. His best game against a ranked opponent came against 13 Kansas State when he ran for 209 yards in 30 attempts and a TD in a 34-27 win. Against unranked opponents, he saved his best against Kansas where he ran for 243 yards and four TDs. He was awarded the Doak Walker Award, for the best running back in the country. He also was awarded an unanimous All-American.

STRENGTHS: Well-Rounded

Bijan Robinson can do many things well. This is what he banked on throughout his college career and what he will use in the NFL. His mix of size and strength makes him a powerful runner and can make short gains into long runs. He has a lot of moves that will make him a difficult runner to tackle for defenses. His pass-catching is decent since his hands are good. He can be a three-down back in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES: Lack Of Elite Speed

With everything that supports him as the top RB, it’s very difficult to find a weakness in his game. One aspect that isn’t his strong suit is his lack of elite speed. He can also be impatient at times as he doesn’t let the blocks happen before he makes a move. If he can learn to be more in control, he has a chance to be an elite RB in the NFL.

PLAYER COMPARISON: Saquon Barkley

TEAMS WHO COULD DRAFT HIM

Modern analytics suggest it’s not worth it to draft an RB in the first round. Bijan Robinson, however, is an exception to that. His talent and skill make him an intriguing prospect. Looking over different mock drafts, experts are split on where he’ll land but many have him as a pick in the 20s. Some have mentioned Baltimore as a potential spot but my favorite pick was Philadelphia at 30th, especially with Miles Sanders‘ impending free agency.

The post 2023 NFL Draft Focus: Bijan Robinson appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Daniel Racz (Twitter: @Danny___Dimes)

Introduction

When Saquon Barkley came to the NFL out of Penn State in 2018, Barkley was a generational talent at the running back position. The Giants front office raved about his skillset, with general manager Dave Gettleman saying, “I have never seen a player like him in my 30 years evaluating talent.” 

In Saquon’s rookie year, he set the league on fire. In his first career game, a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saquon ripped off the first of many breakaway runs for the G-Men. Barkley’s skill and athleticism are undeniable: there is perhaps no better running back in the league when healthy. That said, Saquon’s past two years have disappointed fantasy players. 

An early high ankle sprain derailed much of his 2019 season. While he ended that year on a high note and finished as an RB1, he was not productive for much of the season. Saquon’s 2020 season was over when he tore his ACL and MCL against the Chicago Bears early on in week two. 

Saquon is expected to make a full recovery before the 2021 season, but should he cost an early 1st round startup pick?

The Benefits That Come With Owning Saquon

In owner John Mara’s most recent news conference, he told reporters that he expected Saquon to be a Giants for a long time. These words should ease any worries about his long-term status, as he will likely be on Big Blue for the prime of his career. 

The Giants’ ownership does not often comment on contract matters, so their word should be taken as gospel. Mara’s comments should lead you to make transactions with the assumption that Saquon Barkley will be a Giants for years to come.

Workhorse running backs are growing scarcer every year, and the Giants have not shied away from giving Saquon 20-25 touches a game. Saquon’s volume gives him such a high floor, and his skill gives him a ceiling matched only by players like CMC, Kamara, Cook, and Henry. 

During his record-breaking rookie season, Saquon put up over 24 points a game (PPR format). If he even gets back to producing 80% of what he did as a rookie, he will be a locked and loaded top 5 running back. 

Although his current ADP is RB4, his range of outcomes certainly includes an excellent shot at the RB1 title.

The Risks Involved With Owning Saquon

Just like any other running back, Saquon’s lifespan is relatively short. We can hope that Saquon returns without a loss of athleticism, but there is a chance he will not be the same elite athletic specimen. 

A healthy Saquon is a great player, but do not automatically assume we get a healthy Saquon–factor the risk into any transaction. 

Another risk related to Saquon Barkley is the effectiveness of what the New York Giants decided to call offense in 2020. The offense averaged 17.5 points per game, good enough for 30th in the league. 

While Saquon and a likely wide receiver addition, we will see a less stagnant offense. That said, The Giants’ offense will still have Jason Garret at the helm, so it may not produce many explosive plays for any of its weapons. 

The Verdict

Saquon Barkley may be the most polarizing player in dynasty. When considering Saquon, think about where your roster is at the moment. If you are an immediate contender and can add Barkley to cement yourself as the likely favorite of your league, you ought to do it. 

The 2022 rookie class is relatively weak and lacks depth, do not be afraid to give up those picks. The 2023 class has some elite running backs, but if you anticipate being a contender, that should not affect you. 

Saquon is a buy at his current price if he immediately makes your team a powerhouse or keeps you in the clear lead dog role. 

That said, if your team is likely to be in a productive struggle or the cellar, rostering Saquon does not do you much good. His long-term outlook is less bright given his risks and the age apex of most running backs. Your league will likely have a market for Saquon, but if no one is buying, wait until after the offseason. Some “workhorse” running backs will turn into committee members, and some will go down to injury at the start of the season. Exercise patience when selling top tier assets, as it is more likely that any one of your league mates will lose a running back than for Saquon to take a drastic dip in value.

Overall, Saquon’s value is entirely dependent on your roster. If you need immediate production, he is a buy. If you are in a startup draft, buy him knowing that your winning window is now. If you are playing for 2023 and onward, it would be wise to move on from him and avoid buying him unless the owner is selling him for extreme value. 

The post Saquon Barkley: Dynasty Outlook appeared first on Pro Football Mania.