Tag: dark horse

Why Falcons RB Bijan Robinson could be dark horse MVP candidate

Don’t be surprised if Falcons RB Bijan Robinson finds himself in the MVP discussion this season…

The NFL loves to celebrate quarterbacks, but occasionally players at other positions get the recognition they deserve. While we don’t anticipate an offensive lineman winning MVP anytime soon, sometimes running backs give those quarterbacks a run for their money during awards season.

Since 2000, only four NFL running backs — Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander and Marshall Faulk — have won the league MVP award. Peterson was the last player to accomplish this feat back in 2012.

As unlikely as it may seem, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has the right mix of physical tools and surrounding talent to be the league’s next non-QB MVP.

Robinson is essentially the perfect modern NFL running back. He has elite speed, size, vision, elusiveness, route-running ability and hands (see below):

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cL8ZPs2fWu8

Robinson rushed for 976 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, adding 58 catches for 487 yards and four receiving touchdowns. I realize these aren’t quite MVP-level numbers, but the totals were deflated by the team’s abysmal quarterback play last season.

With Kirk Cousins stepping in, the Falcons finally have someone who can help their offense reach its full potential. And unlike former head coach Arthur Smith, Raheem Morris is ready to unleash Robinson this season.

“Get the ball to Bijan as much as you can in as many ideal situations as you possibly can,” said Morris on how he plans to feature Robinson.

While statistics play a major part in determining the league MVP, the story behind those stats is arguably just as important. The Falcons have missed the playoffs for six straight seasons. If Bijan leads them to an NFC South crown, it would carry more weight than some of the other candidates.

Cousins is sure to receive his share of praise if the team is successful, but he’s rarely been in the MVP discussion throughout his career. Robinson has an elite run-blocking offensive line and enough complementary weapons to prevent opposing defenses from stacking the box.

Assuming he’s the focal point of Atlanta’s offense, Robinson’s ability as a dual-threat could help him top 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2024.

What type of numbers would Robinson need to win MVP?

As mentioned earlier, only four running backs have won the award since the 2000 NFL season. Here’s a look at the stats for all four players the year they won MVP.

  • Adrian Peterson (2012): 2,097 rushing yards, 12 TDs, 40 catches, 217 rec. yards, 1 rec. TD
  • LaDainian Tomlinson (2006): 1,815 rushing yards, 28 TDs, 56 catches, 508 rec. yards, 3 rec. TDs
  • Shaun Alexander (2005): 1,880 rushing yards, 27 TDs, 15 catches, 78 rec. yards, 1 rec. TD
  • Marshall Faulk (2000): 1,359 rushing yards, 18 TDs, 81 catches, 830 rec. yards, 8 rec. TDs

Draft Kings lists Robinson’s odds to win the 2024 MVP award at +25000, but crazier things have happened in this league. Why not Bijan?

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2020 Saints roster locks, long-shots, and those on the roster bubble

The New Orleans Saints have assembled a talented 90-man roster for the 2020 season, but which players are locks, long shots, and on the edge

The New Orleans Saints are at capacity with their 90-man roster, set to carry a talented group of players through the summer and into training camp. But just 53 of them will be retained for the season’s opening kickoff, with a dozen players hoping to clear waivers and return on the practice squad (per new CBA rules, two practice squad players each week may be promoted to the active roster on game days. It’s more confusing than it needs to be).

But which Saints players are in best position to make the team? Which of them are out on the fringe, on the roster bubble? And who faces the longest odds of making the cut? Here’s a position-by-position preview, starting with the quarterbacks:

Quarterbacks

Locks:

  • Drew Brees
  • Taysom Hill
  • Jameis Winston

On the bubble:

  • Tommy Stevens

The top three passers are locked in, with Hill and Winston setting themselves up to compete for the starting job once Brees has spun his last football in New Orleans. It’s as impressive a depth chart you’ll find around the NFL, regardless of position. How many teams can say their third-stringer is a Heisman Trophy winner?

Stevens is a curiosity. If he can do an admirable job filling in for Hill as a runner and receiver (and maybe on special teams), he might stick around on the 53-man roster. He might pass through waivers and land on the practice squad, but it doesn’t feel like the Saints traded back into the draft just to give up on him after a few weeks in training camp.

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