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Washington Football Team Depth Chart: Breaking down the RB room for 2021

By Jacob Camenker

Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Football Team at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Football Team starting RB: Antonio Gibson

Going into last season, there was a serious debate about who should be the starting running back for Washington. Some argued for Adrian Peterson. Others for Derrius Guice. It was a deep backfield, so there were many potential options for the team, or so it seemed.

Then Guice was slapped with domestic violence charges and promptly cut by Washington. And before the season, Peterson was released in a surprising move as well. As such, Antonio Gibson became the lead back earlier than expected, and the third-round rookie out of Memphis didn’t disappoint.

During his rookie season, Gibson appeared in 14 games and started 10. He ran for 795 yards on 170 carries and a whopping 11 touchdowns. He also added 247 receiving yards on 36 catches.

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It was an impressive debut season for Gibson, especially considering that he played receiver during his two seasons at Memphis. He barely had any experience at the position during his college career and had just 33 total carries.

Still, Gibson showed exactly what Washington was hoping. He was explosive and had good burst at the line of scrimmage. He also had surprisingly good vision considering his lack of experience running between the tackles.

Even more impressively, he did that all with an abbreviated offseason because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s exciting to imagine how much better he could be with another year of development under his belt.

Gibson is definitely cemented as the starter for Washington in 2021. Hopefully, he’ll be to stay on the field for the whole season this time around.

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