Why Eagles should take Bijan Robinson; Daniel Jeremiah makes his pitch
Daniel Jeremiah knows its not likely.
In fact, he classified it as a move that would be a shocker on the latest Takeoff with John Clark podcast.
But he still wants to see it.
The NFL Networks top draft analyst is a former NFL scout and worked for the Eagles under Howie Roseman. Jeremiah knows how unlikely it is that they draft Bijan Robinson with the No. 10 overall pick. But he feels like he can make a pretty strong case for doing it.
What would his pitch be to Roseman?
I would just say, look, with running backs, I get it, Jeremiah said. It doesnt work for everybody and its not right for everybody. But at this point in time, with where we are as a team, with where we happen to be picking courtesy of a trade, and what the construct of this draft is, I think its the right pick.
I think hes the third-best player in this draft. I dont think its a huge opportunity cost. In other words, I dont think youre not taking a Micah Parsons or a Rashawn Slater or JaMarr Chase or whoever else. I dont think those options are there where theyre picking. I think there are good solid players. Hes an elite player. So every single one of his carries will matter. You will not waste any of his even if you say he has a six-year shelf-life. Five years and a franchise tag and then you move on. This is their window. Their window is right now to win. So I think you maximize his entire career.
The only players Jeremiah has ranked above Robinson in this draft are QB Bryce Young and edge rusher Will Anderson. Jeremiah has Tyree Wilson and Jalen Carter behind Robinson.
Robinson, 21, was a star at Texas and is going to be a first-round pick to some team. He has 4.46 speed, rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2021 and has three-down ability as a receiver.
The Eagles havent drafted a running back in the first round since Keith Byars in the 1986 draft. Since Roseman became the Eagles GM in 2010, they have selected eight running backs. Miles Sanders was a second-round pick in 2019 and the rest were drafted in the fourth round or later.
So drafting Robinson at No. 10 overall would be quite a philosophical departure. Because of that, Jeremiah doesnt expect it to happen.
But he enjoys thinking about what the Eagles offense would look like with Robinson taking handoffs from Jalen Hurts.
I could make a case that if you are the Eagles right now, there should only be one team that youre concerned with in the NFC and thats the 49ers, Jeremiah said. So you are building your team to compete and beat the 49ers. Those are the two teams who are clearly the class of the NFC and I dont see that changing anytime soon. And you would have your Christian McCaffrey to offset their Christian McCaffrey. And, man, it would be fun.
