Ahead of the 2025 NFL season, sports sites are releasing lists of top players at each position. ESPN senior NFL writer Jeremy Fowler recently published a ranking of the top NFL running backs. This ranking was based on input from league executives, coaches, and scouts. The Atlanta Falcons have two starting-caliber running backs, but Bijan Robinson’s performance in 2024 elevated him to the upper tier of NFL players.
Robinson had a breakout year with 1,887 scrimmage yards and 15 total touchdowns. In Fowler’s poll, Robinson was ranked fourth among running backs, behind Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
“Size, speed, acceleration, pass game value, breaks tackles, can hit home runs,” an NFL coordinator commented about Robinson to Fowler. “He’s a nightmare to prepare for.”
Fans might question why Robinson ranks below Gibbs. This could be due to Detroit’s recent team success and Gibbs’ 20 touchdowns last season. However, while Gibbs shares duties with David Montgomery in Detroit, Robinson is the primary back in Atlanta.
Fowler highlights that “Robinson entered the league with considerable expectations and has largely met them.” He notes that Robinson is one of three players in NFL history to achieve 2,400 rushing yards and 100 receptions in their first two seasons—joining Edgerrin James and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Tomlinson led the NFL with 2,370 all-purpose yards in his third season. If Robinson approaches that figure this fall, he might top this list by 2026.
