It's no secret that the Atlanta Falcons have the best running back in the NFL in Bijan Robinson. It's a point we've spoken about so many times that it's getting hard to find new ways to say it. Quite simply, this is a generational talent who almost certainly will land a bust in Canton when it's all said and done.
Bijan does things on a football field you wouldn't think a human is capable of doing, and every time he touches the ball he's a threat to house it. However, even Superman has a kryptonite, and we learned exactly what the big issue is his game is in the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
For starters, Bijan's usage against the Bears was far from ideal, but that was due to a negative game script. And because the Falcons went down early, they had to throw the ball more, which meant if they wanted to get Robinson on the field, he would have to step up in pass protection, and unfortunately, it exposed him as a big liability in that area for the second consecutive week.
While the entire offensive line struggled to pick up the blitz against a shorthanded Bears' pass-rush and the All-Pro back also struggled to keep Michael Penix Jr. protected In 17 pass-blocking snaps, he surrendered three pressures and two sacks for a 31.1 pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.
There was even a rep where ex-Falcon Clark Phillips III (who is 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds) lit him up on a rep to generate pressure on Penix. And this came on third down on their final offensive possession of the game, and after a hold against Matthew Bergeron on that play, he again got burned on the rep where Penix fumbled--this time by Daniel Hardy. It's been a real issue.
Bijan Robinson was a liability in pass protection for the Falcons in Week 6
Obviously, the Falcons aren't trotting Bijan out there for his strengths as a pass-protector. He's only 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, so Brian Robinson Jr. should be the better pass protector, but obviously when you're playing from behind, you aren't going to keep your best offensive weapon on the bench.
However, pass protection is an underrated aspect of the job running backs are asked to do, because it's how running backs stay on the field. You can be the most talented or explosive player in the world, but if you can't pick up the blitz or at least be competent in pass pro, coaches won't want to play you.
It's not like running backs like Bijan are being asked to win a rep against a 300-pound defensive lineman. It's typically any unassigned blitzers like linebackers or DBs. The RB is the last line of defense for a quarterback, and it's their job to read the defensive front and deliver quick blocks.
The thing is that defenses are going to start blitzing Penix more and sending more pressure after the offensive line struggled to hold up the last two weeks, especially since he struggles in the face of pressure, which means they're going to need to rely on the 24-year-old more as a pass-protector.
The Dirty Birds' system isn't designed to thrive against the blitz, which means that Robinson will have to take some pressure off of this offensive line in pass protection. And unfortunately, against a Chicago team missing their two best pass-rushers, he wasn't able to do that, so what will happen against better units up front? This weakness in his game will only get worse as the season goes on.
Bijan Robinson's struggle in pass protection are proof that even the best in the business have flaws, so while he's dangerous with the football, the loss to the Bears exposed he has something to clean up.
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