Lions trade back to take RB despite having had opportunity to draft Bijan Robinson at No. 6

The Detroit Lions clearly wanted to draft a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft, but it wasn't Bijan Robinson they coveted.

We know that because the Lions had an opportunity to take Robinson with pick No. 6. Most would say that's extremely high for a running back, but most NFL Draft experts also believe that Robinson has the potential to be a franchise-changing player. He's been said to be a combination of Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley as a prospect.

Taking a player of his potential in the top 10, even with the lack of value running backs have in today's game, would probably be worth the risk.

The Atlanta Falcons certainly thought so, because they were able to snag Robinson with pick No. 8. This was after the Lions traded out of No. 6 to snag the 12th overall, 34th overall and 168th overall picks from the Arizona Cardinals, who moved up to pick offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.

It seemed clear at the time that Detroit felt no player at six was worth the pick, and the front office wanted a few more bites at the apple later on. But to turn around at No. 12 and draft the running back most considered the second-best in the draft just a few picks later? Perhaps nobody outside of Detroit's front office saw that move coming.

Yes, the Lions wanted a running back, but they preferred Alabama's Jahmyr Gibbs over Robinson apparently.