Saquon Barkley vs Bijan Robinson

“Saquon Barkley (RB, Eagles) was the top-rated player from the NFL Top 100 for the 2025 season.”

“Eagles RB Saquon Barkley recalled being annoyed by Sirianni during his time with the Giants, but his viewpoint changed after coming to Philadelphia. "When you're going against it, you can't stand it," Barkley said. "If you don't know Nick Sirianni, it's easy not to like Nick Sirianni."”

“He averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, Barkley averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, he averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season. After finishing last year as the RB14, fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley at his $31 value, the ninth-highest among running backs.”

“The former Penn State star averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game last season, his lowest mark since 2021. Furthermore, he averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs last year. By comparison, Barkley averaged 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and had 25 breakaway runs during his 2024 fantasy MVP season.”

“Barkley's target volume will be heavily dependent on Mannion's concerted effort to design opportunities for him. Should he neglect to do so, this will be more mediocre usage of one of the team's most explosive assets.”

“Stacking this on top of an expected positive regression back to the Eagles' 2024 run-blocking prowess (76.9 PFF grade – 4th) could rejuvenate his true RB1 ceiling.”

“Barkley is a major beneficiary of this system, which heavily prioritizes RBs in the passing game via designed screens, wheel routes, and play-action checkdowns. In Mannion's timing-based scheme, play-action will freeze second-level defenders, leaving Barkley wide open on underneath routes to turn his 60 projected targets into high-value PPR production.”

“After finishing last year as the RB14, Barkley averaged 14.5 PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest mark since 2021, and averaged 4.1 yards per rushing attempt and had 13 breakaway runs, compared to 5.8 yards per rushing attempt and 25 breakaway runs during his fantasy MVP season in 2024. Fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley as a mid-range RB1.”

“Saquon Barkley reached out to former Rams RB Todd Gurley to ask for his advice as he seeks to have a bounce-back season in 2026. Barkley said he felt he was able to get himself in better shape coming into the offseason with extra weeks to prepare after an earlier-than-desired end to the season.”

“Landing Saquon Barkley at pick 2.12 was ideal.”

“They also noted declines in some of Barkley's efficiency metrics over the last two seasons and questioned whether Philadelphia's offensive line could remain dominant enough to support another elite finish.”

“A major point raised was the historical difficulty of repeating massive workload seasons. The hosts emphasized that Barkley benefited from outstanding offensive line play and extremely favorable rushing conditions during his huge 2024 campaign.”

“Robinson is viewed as a clear extension priority for the Falcons, who are poised to take the interesting step of firing a GM but extending his first three first-round picks.”

“Allgeier is familiar with backing up an elite running back prospect, as he shared time with Bijan Robinson in Atlanta for three seasons.”

“Robinson has been a fantasy star since entering the NFL, posting a top-12 non-PPR finish every year of his career. Furthermore, the former Texas star finished as the RB4 in 2024 and the RB3 last season despite totaling only seven rushing touchdowns. Yet, the superstar had 366 touches for 2,298 scrimmage yards despite splitting work with Tyler Allgeier.”

“Many executives around the league believe Atlanta's former coaching staff under Raheem Morris "tamped down the production" of Robinson. Executives think the running back will get an extension before Week 1, with one anonymous executive stating: "If you tagged Pitts and you extended London, that tells me Bijan is next. He's the best football player on that roster."”

“Bijan Robinson is the top taken player according to Yahoo's mock auction data. He is projected to have a value of $62, meaning Yahoo thinks $62 is a spot-on price for what his stats are projected to be. But Bijan is going for an average auction value of $71.4. That's over 15% higher than his projection!”

“He also appeared on 18.5% of champion teams, according to FantasyPros' league sync tool. That was the highest percentage of any player.”

“Where Robinson can take the leap is simple — touchdowns. Robinson scored only seven rushing touchdowns, which resulted in the lowest touchdown rate (2.4%) among the top seven running backs in fantasy.”

“Last year's PPR RB2 in fantasy points per game, and now free from Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson feels primed to take a big step forward in 2026. Robinson led the league in missed tackles forced (75), with 27 more than any other player, while also ranking in the top five in rushing yards, explosive run rate and yards per carry, while topping the league in yards after contact per attempt (3.06).”

“Gainwell ranked fourth among all backs in receptions in 2025, trailing only the dual-threat elites of Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs.”

“Bijan Robinson got the nod at 1.01 here. Worm pointed directly to Atlanta's new play caller and Robinson's elite talent profile as the deciding factors. Even in a three-receiver league where someone like Ja'Marr Chase could easily justify the top spot, Robinson's combination of workload and explosiveness ultimately won out.”

“Atlanta's coaching changes could finally unlock the every-down role fantasy managers have been waiting for. Robinson has already produced elite numbers despite sharing goal-line work in previous seasons. If that usage shifts fully in his favor, he could challenge for the overall RB1 finish in fantasy football.”

“If you have him and Bijan Robinson on opposite sides, those are two guys that can house it from anywhere on the field.”