Bijan Robinson Named MVP Candidate By NFL.com

Bijan Robinson will look to become the Falcons first player in nine seasons to win NFL MVP.

The Falcons running back is no stranger to accolades, and even before the early NFL MVP list came out, Bijan Robinson was already expected to be Atlanta’s MVP (non-quarterback). During the 2016 season, Matt Ryan passed for 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the team to a division title and eventual berth in the Super Bowl.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com recently spoke about naming Robinson a top MVP candidate, saying, “Some will disagree with this choice, and given that only three running backs have won an MVP award since 2001 (and none since 2012), history is on my skeptics’ side. Look at Saquon Barkley last year — he racked up 2,283 yards from scrimmage, registered just the ninth 2,000-yard rushing season in league annals … and finished third in the balloting.

“It’s going to take a Barkley-esque yardage total and 20-plus TDs, I suspect, for Robinson to be a serious candidate. But I like his chances better right now than those of Michael Penix Jr., a talented but unproven quarterback. He’s probably capable of a Joe Burrow-like Year 2, but expecting that level of individual success is just a big leap for me at the moment.“

For a non-quarterback to win the award at the season’s end, Robinson would have to have a spectacular season at running back. Some experts have predicted that he will lead the league in rushing this year and surpass 1,800 yards. But, for that to happen, Atlanta would more than likely have to win the NFC South at least.