Redskins: Predicting the 2020 stats for each incoming rookie

Antonio Gibson

His number may be 24, but I think Antonio Gibson will put up more catches than carries in his rookie campaign with the Redskins.

That’s what Gibson did in college, logging 38 receptions and 33 carry attempts in his final year with the Memphis Tigers. His lack of volume is a bit concerning, but Gibson did a lot with the opportunities he was afforded, accumulating 1,104 total yards and 12 touchdowns on those 71 touches.

Gibson is a versatile player, and his upside was very evident on tape; he’s an explosive, shifty player who has great contact balance as a runner, and he also showed some potential as a true receiver, displaying awareness in his route running, despite being raw.

The potential is certainly there, and it’s enormous. There’s a reason Scott Turner was so excited to pick Gibson up. But I think it’ll take more than a year for him to transition from college to the NFL. His lack of role definition may grow to become a terrifying part of his game for defenses, but as a rookie, he’ll have to grow into that role, and that’ll take time, repetition, and plenty of learning opportunities along the way.

Gibson’s numbers will be deflated a bit; he’s fighting for carries with the likes of Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Peyton Barber, and J.D. McKissic, and he’s fighting for catches with a host of young receivers. But Gibson will see minutes as a change-of-pace player who can line up in several spots, and he’ll also be able to catch passes from different spots — from the backfield, out of motion, and lined up out wide. We’ll see his upside again, but for his maximum projection, we’ll have to wait at least another year.

Antonio Gibson Prediction: 37 carries, 171 yards, two touchdowns, 41 catches, 440 yards, three touchdowns, 11 kick returns, 275 yards