One NFC executive explained why Falcons superstar Bijan Robinson is the best running back in the NFL ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Falcons are finally giving their fans some hope ahead of the 2026 season. Kevin Stefanski is now the head coach and should bring new life to Atlanta’s already high-powered offense. It will be fascinating to see what Stefanski’s offense can accomplish with the best running back in the entire league.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler kicked off its seventh annual top 10 player position rankings on Monday. To assemble the ranking, ESPN surveyed more than 70 NFL executives, scouts, and coaches.
First up is the running back position. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson took the top spot on the list after finishing in fourth place in 2025.
One NFC executive explained why Robinson deserved the top spot this year, even over other superstars like Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs.
“Bijan is just more dynamic than the rest of the field in terms of creating positive runs despite blocking failure,” an NFC executive said, per Fowler. “Combo of his bend, feet and agility. His size shows up with physicality. And while Gibbs is top-end faster, Bijan is still explosive in his own right, creating home run plays.”
Robinson and Gibbs were in a tight race for the top spot, with Fowler noting that each player received nearly the same amount of first-place votes. But Robinson’s average rating of 1.78 helped him secure the number one spot.