Running Back RouletteGet alerts

2026 NFL backfield

Atlanta Falcons running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Bijan Robinson

Preferred handcuff

Brian Robinson Jr.

Robinson is the sole listed backup to Bijan.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Bijan Robinson’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Atlanta’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Bijan Robinson as starter and Brian Robinson Jr. as the only backup at running back. The replacement path is unusually clear.

Atlanta’s official Sept. 8 Week 1 depth chart lists Bijan Robinson as starter and Brian Robinson Jr. as the only backup at running back. The replacement path is unusually clear.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • role projection

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Atlanta Falcons, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Atlanta Falcons full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Bijan RobinsonPublished starter		Three-down back2023 · Round 1 · Pick 8active
RB2
Brian Robinson Jr.Published handcuff		Early-down runner2022 · Round 3 · Pick 98active
RB3
Trey Sermon		Change-of-pace back2021 · Round 3 · Pick 88injured reserve
Unlisted
Cash Jones		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad
Unlisted
Tyler Goodson		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Bijan Robinson

Age 24 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Elite, complete back and the highest-paid RB in the league. Handles every down, leads the NFL in scrimmage yards, and has been remarkably durable on enormous volume. Atlanta's offense is built around him.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 1 · Pick 8

Drafted by ATL; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 287 carries and 79 receptions on 103 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Brian Robinson Jr.

Age 27 · 5 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Powerful early-down and short-yardage back signed to spell Bijan Robinson. Would carry a real early-down load if Bijan missed time, but Atlanta would likely go to a committee on passing downs rather than hand him a full three-down job.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Bijan Robinson. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bijan Robinson. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2022 · Round 3 · Pick 98

Drafted by WAS; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 92 carries and 8 receptions on 12 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Change-of-pace back

Trey Sermon

Age 27 · 5 years of NFL experience · injured reserve

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Veteran depth back and special-teamer, currently on IR. Has NFL experience as an emergency backup but has never held a meaningful role; not the answer if Bijan Robinson went down.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Bijan Robinson. The dated board currently prefers Brian Robinson Jr. for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson Jr.. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2021 · Round 3 · Pick 88

Drafted by SF; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 3 recorded games include 0 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Cash Jones

Age 26 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Cash Jones is a rookie listed by ATL at RB, from Georgia. The official roster lists him at 5-11 and 195 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Tyler Goodson

Age 25 · 4 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Tyler Goodson is a four-year veteran listed by ATL at RB, from Iowa. The official roster lists him at 5-9 and 197 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Bijan Robinson
1728779229821.8
Brian Robinson Jr.
179284253.7
Cash Jones
—————
Trey Sermon
30000.0
Tyler Goodson
—————
Bijan Robinson: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1328 touches
Wk 1422 touches
Wk 1527 touches
Wk 1623 touches
Wk 1727 touches
Wk 1818 touches
Brian Robinson Jr.: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 128 touches
Wk 138 touches
Wk 159 touches
Wk 165 touches
Wk 175 touches
Wk 182 touches
Trey Sermon: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 3 recorded games in 2025

Wk 40 touches
Wk 90 touches
Wk 100 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

All team backfieldsHandcuff rankingsSunday night stashesMonday night stashesScoring methodology