Draft Insider Resurrects Bijan Robinson To The Bears Rumors

When discussing Chicago Bears draft possibilities, debates have centered around three primary position groups: the offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback. Those areas remain considerable needs for the team and are viewed as premium areas of roster-building by GM Ryan Poles. Even so, there was an early rumor that the Bears may lean into their offensive strengths by taking star Texas running back Bijan Robinson. If they had the #1 rushing attack with guys like Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery alongside Justin Fields, imagine what Robinson could do.

Those rumors faded by the start of April. Nobody argues that Robinson is a generational talent with size, quickness, power, vision, and speed. He’s the total package. However, he’s still a running back. The position has been devalued over the years as the league has become more passing-oriented. Finding good players in later rounds isn’t difficult at that position. The Bears should know, having scooped Herbert in the 6th two years ago. Even so, top draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network dropped this nugget on Peter Schrager’s The Season podcast.

“I know somebody told me don’t sleep on Bijan (Robinson) with them either, by the way. I love Bijan…They brought over D’Onta Foreman. Gosh, that’s fun. That’s intriguing.”

Bijan Robinson is a fun thought but unrealistic.

We’ve already covered that running backs aren’t a premium position. Poles talks about focusing on premium positions in the draft all the time. Then there is the fact he’s been burned by 1st round running backs before. He was with the Kansas City Chiefs when they took Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020 with the 32nd pick. After a promising rookie season, he’s been a major disappointment since. Meanwhile, he watched guys like Jamaal Charles and Kareem Hunt (both 3rd rounders) end up stars.

It doesn’t add up. Bijan Robinson could end up an all-time great. The next Adrian Peterson. It doesn’t change the fact Chicago can’t justify taking him. They have too many needs at more critical positions. Anything is possible. Poles may get caught in a tough situation where all the prospects he preferred are gone and can’t trade down. Taking the player most likely to succeed would be the safest approach in such a situation. Still, the Bears would have difficulty justifying that pick to fans.