The 2024 NFL season was the year of the running back and nobody played better than Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles. His 2,000-yard campaign helped the Eagles capture the Super Bowl, but Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson outperformed Barkley in one area.
Pro Football Focus released its final running back grades from the 2024 season. Robinson not only received a higher season grade than Barkley but the former Texas star finished second in the NFL among running backs with a 92.8 PFF grade.
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry earned the NFL’s highest grade (94.2). However, Robinson led the league with a rushing grade of 92.2:
In just his second season as a professional, Robinson has already etched his name in PFF history. The Falcons back generated a phenomenal 92.8 PFF rushing grade, eclipsing Adrian Peterson’s 2012 campaign and landing Robinson in the top-three highest graded rushing seasons in the PFF era. Robinson was particularly adept in zone concepts, where he produced a 92.2 rushing grade – the highest ever recorded by PFF. — Mason Cameron, PFF
Despite Barkley’s impressive season, he somehow landed way down at No. 11 with a PFF grade of 85.2. Perhaps the usage rate lowered his overall efficiency, but it’s hard to argue with the best season we’ve seen from a running back in years.
However you slice it, Robinson put together a tremendous sophomore campaign. He rushed for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns, often keeping the Falcons offense going during Kirk Cousins’ midseason slump.
With Michael Penix Jr. solidifying the future of the quarterback position, Robinson could be even more effective in 2025. That’s scary to think about.