Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: RB/WR Antonio Gibson
How Gibson fits with the Redskins
Is Gibson the next McCaffrey? Only time will tell. But he does certainly share some qualities with the talented back and former No. 8 overall pick. Gibson’s role in the offense won’t be as clear as McCaffrey’s was right away in Washington, but there is an opportunity for him nonetheless.
Gibson can serve as a Swiss-Army Knife for the Redskins. He has all the tools needed to be a game-breaker. He’s explosive. He’s fast. He’s strong. For the ‘Skins, it will all be about scheming ways to get the ball into his hands. If they can do that, they’ll set him up for success.
It remains to be seen how the Redskins running back rotation will shake out. Or their receiving corps beyond Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims.
But Gibson can plug holes in both of them. Want a fast, athletic package? Run out McLaurin, Sims, and Gibson at receiver and motion Gibson before the snap. Want to add some pass-catching options in the backfield? Put Gibson out there with Derrius Guice or J.D. McKissic. Heck, Gibson could even be a Wildcat QB if they wanted to employ that package a bit.
It seems likely that to kick things off, Gibson will be the third-down back and will have plenty of packages that see him split out wide as well. The team probably won’t overtax him in terms of carries, simply because of his lacking career workload as a runner, but they’ll get the ball to him enough to let him make an impact on the offense. He’ll split carries with guys like Guice, Adrian Peterson, and whoever else makes the team of the McKissic, Bryce Love, and Peyton Barber competition, but that won’t limit his upside too much.
And Gibson is probably among the top dogs at the kick returner position, too. Sims may still be ahead of him, but the team could put both back there or mix them up to keep them fresh throughout the game.
Next. Evaluating Redskins draft picks - OT Saahdiq Charles. dark
Gibson’s rookie season could start off as a bit of an experiment. But once he and Scott Turner settle on a true role for him… look out. He’s a big playmaker and while his rookie outlook is more boom-or-bust than any of the other Washington draft picks, he should find his stride with the Redskins soon enough.