Many around the NFL have been critical of the Atlanta Falcons for their first-round selections in the last two draft classes. In 2024, the team took quarterback Michael Penix Jr. one month after signing Kirk Cousins in free agency.
In 2023, the team drafted running back Bijan Robinson despite already having a 1,000-yard rusher on the roster in Tyler Allgeier. When teams take a best-player-available approach to the draft, the idea is to prioritize talent over positional needs.
Whether or not you agreed with the Robinson pick, there’s no denying he’s one of the most talented running backs in the entire league. The rookie racked up over 1,400 all-purpose yards last season on a team without a starting-level QB.
ESPN’s Mike Clay recently ranked the running back rooms of all 32 teams. Here’s a look at the full rankings, including where the Falcons landed.
32
Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freeman
31
Cincinnati Bengals
Zack Moss, Chase Brown, Trayveon Williams, Chris Evans
30
Las Vegas Raiders
Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Dylan Laube
29
Los Angeles Chargers
28
Denver Broncos
27
New York Giants
Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell
26
Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Rashaad Penny
25
Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Nyheim Hines, D’Onta Foreman
24
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, Myles Gaskin
23
Buffalo Bills
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans
22
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Chase Edmonds, Sean Tucker
21
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, Julius Chestnut, Hassan Haskins
20
Arizona Cardinals
James Conner, Trey Benson, Michael Carter, Emari Demercado
19
Houston Texans
Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, Jawhar Jordan
18
New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, Jamycal Hasty
17
Chicago Bears
D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer
16
Kansas City Chiefs
15
Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Boston Scott
14
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, D’Ernest Johnson, Keilan Robinson
13
Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols
12
Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, AJ Dillon, Emanuel Wilson
11
Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Cordarrelle Patterson, Aaron Shampklin
10
New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims
9
Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright, Jeff Wilson Jr.
8
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson
7
Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry, Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Rasheen Ali
6
Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Tyrion Davis-Price
5
New York Jets
Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis
4
Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
3
Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Jase McClellan, Avery Williams
2
Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
1
San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Patrick Taylor Jr., Jordan Mason
