Late on the final day of NFL Scouting Combine drills, NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah threw out a potential draft fit for the New England Patriots in the first round that might have some fans scratching their heads: Texas running back Bijan Robinson.

Robinson is the top running back available in the draft and one of the top prospects on some media draft boards. Jeremiah, for example, has him fourth overall on his Top 50 list.

“When everybody’s zigging, [Belichick] zags… plug him in with Mac Jones," Jeremiah said during the combine broadcast. "You talk about a nice present for (offensive coordinator) Bill O’Brien as he comes back into the building.”

Robinson is certainly an incredible player. One of the biggest appeals of the 5-foot-11, 215-pound former Longhorn is that he’s a three-down back with speed, size and pass-catching ability. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with 1.52-second 10-yard split, 37-inch vertical leap and 10-feet, 4-inch broad jump at the combine. Stevenson ran for 1,580 yards with 18 touchdowns on 258 carries in 2022 to go along with 19 catches for 314 yards with two scores.

But New England already has Rhamondre Stevenson for that role and Damien Harris as a free agent. The Patriots should be in the business of adding the best available players, but a running back at No. 14 overall when Stevenson was already eating in New England’s offense seems slightly redundant and wasting one of the two backs.

Robinson should be an every-down back in the NFL. And Stevenson would likely be relegated to a part-time role if Robinson came on board. New England seemingly would be better off continuing to roll with Stevenson in the early-down spot and potentially bring in another pass-catcher to spell him on some third downs.

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