What did Kevin Durant say about Bijan Robinson? NBA superstar gives honest take on new Falcons RB
The Atlanta Falcons chose Bijan Robinson as the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and Kevin Durant was all for it.
While some might have objected to the running back being picked so high, the NBA superstar was having none of it. Running backs are not generally chosen this high because there is a belief that there is value in the position in the later rounds.
But Bijan Robinson has been hailed as a generational talent and was always projected to go in the first round. That he went in the top 10 picks might have been surprising to some, but Kevin Durant was fully sold on it. He tweeted,
"Congrats @Bijan5Robinson... One of the greatest I’ve ever seen put on that burnt orange. @AtlantaFalcons got a star!! Let’s go"
Congrats @Bijan5Robinson
One of the greatest I’ve ever seen put on that burnt orange. @AtlantaFalcons got a star!! Let’s go
Is Kevin Durant correct in his assessment of Bijan Robinson?
As mentioned before, it is never common to see a running back selected too highly in the NFL Draft. But there is always a generational talent who comes along, who deserves to be selected without any extraneous considerations. Think of Barry Sanders going third overall to the Detroit Lions in the 1989 NFL Draft.
Now, evoking a Hall-of-Famer such as Sanders is always risky when it comes to fresh college prospects, but Bijan Robinson might get close. Robinson has the fourth-most rushing yards in Texas Longhorns history. He was named an All-American and won the 2022 Doak Walker Award. He frankly has an absurd 6.124 yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns last season.
He also has the ability to be elusive and is not just a power runner. That should increase his production and longevity in the league and again bring comparisons to the great Sanders.
In addition to his running prowess, Bijan Robinson is good at playing as a receiver as well. For the Texas Longhorns, he used to be motioned as a wide-receiver and catch passes on long 30-yard plus plays. In effect, he is a three-down running back who can completely change an offense.
RD 1 | PK 8 - Falcons: Bijan Robinson RB, Texas
Our no. 1 "can't miss" prospect in the 2023 draft class, @Bijan5Robinson earned the highest NGS overall draft score (96) of any prospect, regardless of position. https://t.co/u0zDKgsjKi
So, no wonder there was hype around him. He has now been blessed with another Texas alumnus, who was also selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, albeit in the NBA. Kevin Durant was selected second overall in the 2007 NBA Draft.
If what they say is true, that game recognizes game, then Bijan Robinson could not have got off to a better start.