2,298 Yards later, Bijan Robinson has a strong case to be NFL’s No. 1 player

2,298 Yards later, Bijan Robinson has a strong case to be NFL’s No. 1 player originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Bijan Robinson entered last year’s NFL Top 100 at No. 62. After what he accomplished in 2025, the Atlanta Falcons running back could be headed toward one of the biggest jumps on this year’s countdown.

Maybe all the way to No. 1.

Robinson is among the players NFL.com identified as contenders for the top spot in the player-voted NFL Top 100 entering the 2026 season. The top 10 is scheduled to be revealed from Aug. 24 through Sept. 4. 

His argument begins with production.

Robinson led the NFL with a franchise-record 2,298 yards from scrimmage last season, finishing with 1,478 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards. His rushing total ranked fourth in the league, while his receiving production ranked second among running backs. 

He averaged 5.1 yards per carry on 287 attempts and caught 79 passes, giving Atlanta an elite weapon capable of impacting games from virtually anywhere on the field. Robinson scored seven rushing touchdowns and added four receiving scores for 11 total touchdowns. 

The performance earned Robinson first-team All-Pro honors at running back, a Pro Bowl selection and a spot among the finalists for the 2025 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. 

His 2,298 scrimmage yards were also the 12th-highest single-season total in NFL history. Robinson became only the second running back in league history to produce at least 1,400 rushing yards and 800 receiving yards in the same season. 

That is a significant transformation from a player who was ranked No. 62 by his peers entering last season.

Robinson now finds himself competing for recognition alongside some of the NFL’s biggest names, including Josh Allen, Myles Garrett, Drake Maye, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs. 

Running backs don’t always receive the same attention as quarterbacks or dominant pass rushers when conversations turn toward the NFL’s best overall player.

Robinson’s 2025 season makes him difficult to ignore.

The Falcons star wasn’t simply one of football’s best running backs. By leading the entire NFL in scrimmage yards, Robinson established himself as one of its most dangerous offensive weapons.

From No. 62 to potentially No. 1?

After 2,298 yards, Robinson has built a legitimate case.

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