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Falcons star Bijan Robinson makes best NFL team money can buy
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- Falcons star Bijan Robinson makes best NFL team money can buy
It's interesting to think about what the Atlanta Falcons might have accomplished the last three years if they'd had a strong starting quarterback and an offensive-minded head coach.
During that time Atlanta got to enjoy three of the game's best young skill players, and all of them playing on rookie contracts. The bill is rapidly becoming due, though. The Falcons have already shelled out $100 million guaranteed for wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson aren't far behind for what will be potentially market-setting deals at their respective positions.
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For now, Robinson is still one of the greatest bargains at running back in the league. He has been named to NFL.com's annual "best team money can buy" at his position along with Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs , Kyle Monangai of the Chicago Bears and Tyrone Tracy of the New York Giants .
"Between the two of them, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs totaled 4,137 scrimmage yards last season, or just 34 shy of what the entire Raiders offense finished with. Who gets to be the thunder? Who gets to be the lightning? What's the difference? Like the poor sap getting zapped, it will be all the same to anyone trying to stop them."
Robinson's contract will be costing the Falcons just under $7 million this season. The total value of his deal ranks just 27th among NFL running backs.
If Bijan and his agent can't work out a new deal with the front office by next season, he'll play out the 2027 campaign under his fifth-year option, which is still a pretty economical $11,323,000 - although it will be fully guaranteed.
Obviously it's in Atlanta's best interest to lock up their star running back with a new long-term deal before then, and the sooner they do so the less it will cost them. Once he signs, Robinson's annual salary should go over $20 million, putting him ahead of Saquon Barkley ($20.6 million) and Christian McCaffrey 's ($19 million) average per year.
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Of course the only number that really matters in the NFL is the guaranteed money. At the moment the heavyweight champion in that department is the 2026 draft's third overall pick Jeremiyah Love, who got over $53 million guaranteed from the Arizona Cardinals , $17 million more than any other running back.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Bijan Robinson headlines RB group for most-economical team by NFL.com
