How early should you draft rookie RB Bijan Robinson? I Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast

Yahoo Fantasy analysts Scott Pianowski and Dalton Del Don discuss the devaluation of running backs in the fantasy game over the years and whether or not Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson has the potential to be a generational talent. Plus, the guys debate just how early fantasy managers should draft Robinson. Hear the full conversation on the “Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast” - subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

Video Transcript

[OPENING MUSIC]

SCOTT PIANOWSKI: We're at a time where the running back position is being devalued. There's a lot of committees, don't take a running back in the first round. But I know Bijan Robinson is good. And I think he may be the one player in the first round that you kind of have to spend some time thinking about them.

Because he could go-- he's gonna go second, third, or fourth, maybe first in some leagues. He may percolate towards the end of the first round in some other leagues.

DALTON DEL DON: Over the last 10 years only three running backs-- Power Five running backs in college of average more than 100 rushing yards and more than 25 receiving yards. They're Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Robinson.

Yes, Desmond Ridder is the big question mark here. He could torpedo this whole thing here. But Atlanta otherwise is returning four offensive line starters from PFF's number one run blocking unit.

They were the number one in first down run rate, number two in EPA per rush, number three in success rate. So it's a terrific system playing indoors, and a lot of that was with a bad quarterback last year. Mariota was unfunctional at times. So you love the system, you love the path to touches right away. And again, the receiving ability from Robinson.

So I don't know. A lot of positives here, but obviously a risk drafting a rookie in the first round. But I love swinging for upside, so give me Robinson as an easy top 10 pick in fantasy drafts.

SCOTT PIANOWSKI: What's the earliest you would consider taking Robinson?

DALTON DEL DON: Yeah, so on my overall board here, I got those-- the receivers, McCaffrey and then Taylor. So I have Robinson actually sixth. But I mean, obviously Ekeler ranked there, Tyreek Hill ranked there, Barkley ranked there. I think there's a good argument right there for the top nine, really. And then I think things start to get a little bit trickier.