Bijan Robinson has established his value in this league, both for fantasy football managers and the Falcons, and this contract extension is simply further proof of that. The term “generational talent” gets used too much in today’s world, but the case could be made for him to hold that title given the first three seasons of his career and potential growth as he enters the prime of his career. But managers have one question about him: is he the 1.01?
Should I Draft Bijan Robinson in Fantasy Football?
As the summer has progressed, I’ve settled on their being a top tier of four players when it comes to redraft leagues in 2026: Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Ja’Marr Chase, and Puka Nacua.
Realistically, you could shuffle them up in any order you want and make a convincing argument, but I’m siding with Atlanta’s RB1 because of the weight of his responsibilities to this team.
START PREPARING: PFN’s FREE Fantasy Draft Simulator
In Detroit, Gibbs is joined by another fantasy first rounder (Amon-Ra St. Brown), a TE with a path to top-5 production (Sam LaPorta), and a receiver in Jameson Williams would could explode for the type of monster season that his pedigree suggests is possible at a moments notice.
Chase heads a lethal Cincinnati attack that includes a receiver in Tee Higgins who, at times, has earned targets ahead of him, and a running back in Chase Brown who I think has a real hance at returning Round 1 value in 2026.
Nacua’s supporting cast isn’t on the level of Detroit or Cincinnati, but Davante Adams and Kyren Williams were both put on this planet to score touchdowns and that’s the quickest way for a star player to underperform.
In Atlanta, Robinson and Drake London do the heavy lifting weekly. If you’ve rostered Kyle Pitts at all, you know the rollercoaster ride that is and no other pass catcher is even considered draftable in most formats.
Robinson is coming off of consecutive seasons north of 1,400 rushing yards and 60 receptions. That type of production is impressive without any context, but when you consider that Atlanta ranks 24th in scoring over that stretch, it’s nothing short of phenomenal.
The rushing production and efficiency is usually what gets dinged in projection systems when the team isn’t very good, but Robinson has risen above that so that’s not a major concern of mine entering 2026.
Instead, his growth as a pass catcher is something that opens the door to peak Christian McCaffrey type of production. Last season, Robinson set career highs in average depth of target, target rate, and red zone target rate. He’s not exactly functioning as a receiver (yet), but in terms of the position, he’s well ahead of the curve and it’s clear that Atlanta is focused on weaponizing their most talented player.
Like I said, the WR depth isn’t exactly in a spot to stop this growth.
FANTASY RANKINGS: PFN’s FREE Fantasy PPR, Half-PPR, and Non-PPR Rankings
- Jahan Dotson (failed to cath 20 balls in both seasons with PHI)
- Olamide Zaccheaus (has never earned 70 targets in a season for a career that stretches 105 games)
- Zachariah Branch (5’10”, 79th overall pick, nine scores across three collegiate seasons)
I believe Robinson to be more valuable to his real life team and that has me clicking his name in spots where I’m fortunate enough to have the first pick.
Kyle Soppe’s RB Fantasy Rankings 2026
- Bijan Robinson | ATL
- Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
- James Cook III | BUF
- Ashton Jeanty | LV
- Jonathan Taylor | IND
- Christian McCaffrey | SF
- De'Von Achane | MIA
- Saquon Barkley | PHI
- Chase Brown | CIN
- Derrick Henry | BAL
- Javonte Williams | DAL
- Kenneth Walker III | KC
- Jeremiyah Love | ARI
- Omarion Hampton | LAC
- D'Andre Swift | CHI
- Travis Etienne Jr. | NO
- Breece Hall | NYJ
- Kyren Williams | LAR
- Josh Jacobs | GB
- David Montgomery | HOU
- Cam Skattebo | NYG
- Bhayshul Tuten | JAX
- TreVeyon Henderson | NE
- Bucky Irving | TB
- Chuba Hubbard | CAR
- Jaylen Warren | PIT
- Jordan Mason | MIN
- Jadarian Price | SEA
- Quinshon Judkins | CLE
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt | WAS
- Kenny Gainwell | TB
- Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
- Tony Pollard | TEN
- RJ Harvey | DEN
- Zach Charbonnet | SEA
- Rico Dowdle | PIT
- Blake Corum | LAR
- Kyle Monangai | CHI
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. | JAX
- Tyler Allgeier | ARI
- Rachaad White | WAS
- Aaron Jones Sr. | MIN
- J.K. Dobbins | DEN
- Isiah Pacheco | DET
- Nick Singleton | TEN
- James Conner | ARI
- Kimani Vidal | LAC
- Tyrone Tracy Jr. | NYG
- Jaylen Wright | MIA
- Woody Marks | HOU
