{"id":802417,"date":"2026-07-15T19:25:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T19:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/802417\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T19:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T19:25:08","slug":"atlanta-falcons-bijan-robinson-makes-true-franchise-players-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/802417\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson makes ‘true franchise players’ list"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Each year in the NFL draft, different college prospects are labeled as potential “franchise players,” but rarely do they live up to that billing. Sometimes players look like franchise guys early in their careers only to flame out over time.<\/p>\n

The quarterback position is the one most frequently associated with the “franchise player” tag, but occasionally other positions can take the mantle. This is the case for the Atlanta Falcons<\/a>, who have yet to name their starting quarterback.<\/p>\n

While every team would love to have a franchise player, many teams don’t currently have anyone capable of filling that role. Bleacher Report<\/a> attempted to identify 20 “true franchise players” ahead of the 2026 NFL season. 12 of the 20 players listed were quarterbacks.<\/p>\n

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was one of the few non-quarterbacks to make B\/Rs list.<\/p>\n

“It isn’t easy for running backs to make these lists in this era, but Robinson was a first-team All-Pro and a genuine Offensive Player of the Year finalist as a 24-year-old in 2025,” wrote B\/R’s Brad Gagnon. “It was his second straight season with at least 1,400 rushing yards, and he led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. No back in football has as much difference-making potential as Robinson entering the 2026 campaign.”<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Robinson is easily one of the most talented running backs in the entire NFL. He was voted No. 1<\/a> in a recent ESPN poll of league executives, and ranked as PFF’s top running back.<\/p>\n

As encouraging as it might be to see Robinson on this list, it’s also a reminder that the Falcons still need to solidify the game’s most important position. Hopefully, Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa can step up this season. Otherwise, the team may be looking for a new QB in 2027.<\/p>\n

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