Texas Football: Where Bijan Robinson ranks in Mel Kiper’s latest big board
The most high-profile 2023 NFL Draft prospect coming out of the Texas football program, without a doubt, is the All-American junior running back Bijan Robinson. After possibly having the best season of any running back in all of college football during the 2022 campaign, Bijan will likely take his talents to the NFL as a Day 1 pick.
Most mock drafts project Bijan as a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. For instance, the latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft from CBS Sports, released on Jan. 30, had Bijan going to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round, 23rd overall. The latest first-round 2023 NFL Mock Drafts from NFL.com and Pro Football Focus also pegged Bijan as a mid-to-late first-round pick.
Moreover, Bijan is often rated at least as a top 20 overall prospect in this class on most big boards. The latest big board update from ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. on Jan. 25 (subscriber content) ranked Bijan as the eighth-best prospect overall in the 2023 draft class. Bijan was also rated as the top running back prospect by Kiper ahead of UAB’s DeWayne McBride.
Texas football RB Bijan Robinson remains in the top 10 on Mel Kiper Jr.’s updated 2023 NFL Draft big board
This is the same spot that Bijan held on Kiper’s big board in his last update prior to the one released on Jan. 25.
Kiper still likes Bijan as one of the best skill position prospects in this draft class.
"Robinson did absolutely everything for Texas. He ran inside and outside, caught passes and scored a bunch of touchdowns. I’m a big fan."
Granted, it still doesn’t look like Kiper likes the idea of drafting running backs in the first round of the NFL Draft. Bijan might be an exception to that rule, though, if a team has the need and is picking late in the first round.
"I don’t love drafting running backs in Round 1, but Robinson deserves this ranking; I grade based on ability, not my first-round philosophy."
Bijan is about the only running back in this draft class that is even close to being a sure-fire first-round pick. He is a rare talent at the position as he is a pure playmaker out of the backfield.
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During his three years at Texas, Bijan racked up nearly 3,500 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. All told, he registered more than 4,200 total yards from scrimmage and 41 total touchdowns.