Running Back 4 – Bijon Robinson ATL
No player of the 2023 NFL draft came in with as much hype as Bijon Robinson. The expectations are high, so high Bijon has been given the #7 for the Atlanta Falcons… a special number for the franchise. It is rare for a running back (RB) to get drafted in the first round of the new era, but Bijon was a top ten pick. He goes to a dream scenario landing with the Falcons and the run heavy philosophy of Head Coach Arthur Smith. Smith’s offenses produced two surprise RBs Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier. Each earned over 1,150 scrimmage yards, and 23 total touchdowns. For Patterson his 2020 rushing and receiving numbers were career highs, and he was in the league for eight years and with four different teams. Smith will be great for Bijon and if he is utilized as most are anticipating he will be a top five RB, and Offensive Rookie of the Year seems more than plausible.
B. Robinson finished his college career with 3,410 rushing yards, 850 receiving yards on 60 receptions, and 41 touchdowns. If this is any indication of how his rookie year will go it wouldn’t be out of the realm for him to have 1,600 scrimmage yards, 10 TDs, and 25 receptions. Even though Tyler Allgeier is a top 40 RB in Mano y Mano, Bijon should receive most of the volume. Bijon Robinson’s ADP is currently RB 3-4. He is usually drafted in the late first round or early second round. If you want him, you will have to draft him with your first pick or possibly your second if you are close to the turn.

Linebacker 4 – CJ Mosley NYJ
CJ Mosley is entering his 10th year and ninth season. It seems like forever ago, but players had the option to opt-out of the 2020 season without penalty and Mosley did just that. Thus far, it has been a wonderful move for his career. He was able to give his mind and body rest, and the five time All-Pro is coming off another stellar year. Mosley earned 158 combined tackles, 99 of which were solo. He earned 103 solo tackles and 168 combined tackles in 2021, totaling 261 tackles since taking a year away from the sport. Mosley has benefited from head coach Robert Saleh and the New York Jets being a bad offense.
Although some may believe the New York Jets offense is already a top five offense, they finished 2022 with a 17.4 points per game average… or fourth worst in the league. Aaron Rodgers and Dalvin Cook will help, but it will take more time than the few snaps they have had together at training camp. This is another advantage for CJ Mosley who will be wearing the green dot and have All Pro players around him. Mosley has had 100 or more tackles in every season he has played 15 or more games, and with a healthy 16/17 games, 150 tackles is well within reach. Draft CJ Mosley and have a true leader of your IDP unit, who will only be out of the lineup on the New York Jets week 7 bye.

Thank you for reading Mano y Mano. Check in tomorrow for RB & LB #3.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

*Stats come from FantasyPros, Pro Football Reference, Sleeper, Statmuse, and NFL/Next Gen.
*Rankings are based on .5 PPR format and FF7s.