The two back system is a popular offensive strategy in the NFL. Where could Robinson and Allgeier rank among other NFL RB duos?
From the days of Jim Brown and Bobby Mitchell, to the tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward that helped take down the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl 42, the two-back system has been a proven success for many teams, and has grown in popularity over the past few decades.
With franchises becoming increasingly unwilling to buy into one running back long-term, the two back system allows offenses to have two ballcarriers share the workload in the backfield, which in theory could preserve longevity for both backs over the course of their careers. Notable examples in Atlanta’s own history include the lightning and thunder combination of Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett, as well as Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Current two running back systems include the Steelers’ Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, the Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, the Lions’ David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and the Falcons’ very own Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson.
As you might expect, that’s the duo I want to discuss today.
Tyler Allgeier’s quiet 1,000 yard rookie season
The Falcon’s drafted Tyler Allgeier out of BYU in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cordarrelle Patterson would enter the season as the starting running back due to his stellar and surprising performance at RB1 in 2021, but due to a knee injury, Allgeier would make his first start against the Tampa Bay Bucs in week 5.
While his start didn’t yield big numbers or even a win, he’d get more comfortable in the backfield over the course of the season. He’d come one yard shy of a 100 yard game against the Chargers in week 9, and would put up his best numbers in the season’s final four weeks, with a 139 yard, one touchdown game against New Orleans in week 15, and a 135 yard game against Tampa Bay in the season finale.
Allgeier’s efforts would see him become the first Falcons running back to have a 1,000 yard season since Devonta Freeman in 2016, and he’d also become the first Falcons rookie running back to have a 1,000 yard season since William Andrews in 1979. He’d also add more icing on the cake when he was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
A 2023 draft shock
Going into the 2023 offseason, fans thought the Falcons would give Allgeier a bigger role that next season, especially with Cordarrelle Patterson losing some of that explosiveness we saw in 2021. Instead of rewarding Allgeier with the keys to the backfield, the Falcons would spark controversy in the 2023 draft (something they seem to be very good at recently), by shocking fans and drafting Bijan Robinson out of Texas, making him the highest drafted running back since Saquon Barkely in 2018.
While met with initial confusion, many were optimistic that the pick would improve the Falcons seemingly one dimensional offense, drafting a back that can make something out of nothing. Others, like myself, wondered how the Falcons would be able to continue Allgeier’s upward trend, while still giving Robinson the ability to live up to his potential as one of the most dynamic backs the league has seen.
Struggling to establish consistency
Ultimately, the Falcons struggled to establish consistency from both Robinson and Allgeier. Allgeier, whose production predictably took a massive hit, finished his sophomore year with 683 yards on the ground and 3.7 yards per carry. Comparing this to his 1,035 yards and 4.9 yards per carry as a rookie, it’s clear the Falcons weren’t able to keep him on his uphill development track.
Robinson, on the other hand, put up solid numbers his first year with 976 yards on the ground and 4.6 yards per carry. However, many thought this stat line wasn’t reflective of a running back with generational talent like Robinson, and while C.J. Stroud was the runaway candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Bijan Robinson seemed to not even be in the conversation, with fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Puka Nacua, and breakout tight end Sam Laporta all being considered over him.
Robinson started off strong with a 125 yard game against Green Bay, and a 105 yard game against Jacksonville, giving us a handful of flashy plays over the first half of the season. He showed his potential as a dual threat back, but as this team spiraled the deeper the season got, Robinson’s production would become more inconsistent, which would be more reflective of the teams identity crisis during that time.
Still, both Robinson and Allgeier combined for 1,659 yards on the ground, putting the Falcons at ninth in rushing for all teams.
How can the Falcons use both Allgeier and Robinson to create a winning formula?
Heading into 2024, it’s obvious Robinson will be RB1, but how can the Falcons create a dominant two back rushing attack with Allgeier as the #2? Well, considering the Falcons are looking to utilize Robinson in ways similar to McCaffrey in San Francisco, it’s hard to see how Allgeier will complement Robinson in the backfield in any kind of true timeshare.
Outside of McCaffrey, there’s not another back on the 49ers that stands out. This past season, McCaffrey saw career highs in rushing and yards per carry. If the Falcons are planning to replicate this type of success for Robinson in his second year, it should involve creating ways for him to capitalize on his shiftiness and lateral ability.
In 2023, McCaffrey was best in many singleback formations with a tight end and receiver lined up in close, and because of the 49ers dynamic playmakers and explosive air attack, it opened up holes that McCaffrey routinely exploited. With the Falcons slated to have a much better passing game than the past two years, I imagine Robinson would get these opportunities as well. Due to his lateral ability, creating a lot of long-handoff, slow developing plays that allow him time to survey the defense before hitting the hole and making a move could be his bread and butter. We may see the bulk of Robinson’s workload in stretch type plays to put him outside the hashes, giving him space to beat defenders off the edge, inside zones that place him one on one with a linebacker, and trap plays with pulling guards.
With Allgeier’s skill being more of a downhill power back, the Falcons may try to use him in more situational instances, such as on downs that are short to medium distance, and in the red zone. This could lead to a lot of inside zone plays between the tackles out of the I and single back formations, mostly relying on his north-south ability. Allgeier’s straight ahead running attack could be used on first down to gain 4-5 yards, setting up opportunities for creative play calls on 2nd and medium with Robinson that could break for big yardage. Depending on how successful this rushing duo is, the Falcons could implement some two back shotgun looks that see both Robinson and Allgeier as legitimate threats to get the ball. Over the course of a game, Allgeier could be used as a change of pace back to wear down a defense and dictate the match; the Dunn-and-Duckett comparison isn’t a great one, but it does help outline how the Falcons might use this duo in 2024.
Ultimately, the Falcons have a lot of game planning to do if they want to establish this backfield as one of the best in the NFL. The Falcons just squeezed in the top 10 for rushing in 2023 at #9, but you get the feeling that they could accomplish more on the ground with a better passing game and quality planning. Between Allgeier and Robinson, they carried the ball 400 times, with Allgeier accounting for 186, and Robinson the other 214. That’s around 47% of the work for Allgeier, with Robinson getting the majority at around 53%.
If I had to guess based on the information we know about Robinson’s upcoming role, these numbers will look different for 2024, potentially closer to a 40-60 workload for Allgeier and Robinson respectively. With that being said, it truly depends on what schemes are implemented, and what both backs make of the carries they are given. Both players offer different skillsets and can compliment each other to create a dynamic duo, similar to that of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara in 2017.
If the Falcons play it right, Robinson and Allgeier could be the key to getting this train back on the right track.