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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Charlie Wilson

Chicago Bears have "no idea" how they picked up NFL Draft steal Bijan Robinson loves

If Roschon Johnson had not been playing behind the best running back that college football has seen in the last decade - it's fair to say that a lot more people would have been talking about him.

On any other college team, he'd have almost certainly been given a bigger role. But Johnson chose to stay with his home state school, Texas, throughout his four years - playing behind superstar back Bijan Robinson.

Robinson was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons, being labelled as a 'significantly better' prospect than Saquon Barkley (who went second overall in 2018), while Johnson fell out of the first three rounds.

The Chicago Bears were able to select Johnson in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, in a pick that was lauded as a smart move at the time.

Even though he played in a limited role, Johnson showed himself to be one of the more explosive offensive weapons in college - averaging over five yards per carry each season and six in his final campaign.

The Bears look to be perfect landing spot for him, with the team having a run-first approach and not signing a replacement to last year's starter David Montgomery. And after his first few sessions with the Bears, the team are blown away with that they've seen.

Their general manager Ryan Poles told NBC Sports on picking him in the fourth round: "How is he available at this point? I have no idea.

Roschon Johnson might be in line to win the starting job with the Bears (Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"I absolutely love this player and I love the person even more. You talk about contact, balance, strength, size. We're going to love this guy, especially when we get in December. He's a special guy who can enhance the culture in our locker room, too."

In certain formations, the Texas would have Robinson and Johnson together in the backfield as they formed a deadly duo. And Robinson has spoken on how impressive the young back is.

He told NBC Sports Chicago : "Roschon is the best teammate I’ve ever had. He brings out so much in a player and the team just how he goes about being a leader. Not just his teammates but everybody in the community. I think that who he is as a person and what he does on the field – I don’t think he’s overlooked because he chose his presence and made his presence felt.

"Roschon is a god. He’s the other running back in this class, and I don’t think people should overlook the talent he has and the skillset that he brings. I think he’s just as good as anybody. His toughness and heart make him stand out over everybody."

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