2020 NFL Draft: NFC East rookie class standouts and sleepers
By Kyle Edmond
Standout – Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
With the release of Derrius Guice, the backfield for the Washington Football Team is a wide-open competition. Adrian Peterson is the seasoned vet of the room, but there is a slew of young talent that includes Bryce Love, J.D. McKissic, and Peyton Barber. However, the name that could emerge from the masses is Antonio Gibson, a third-round pick out of Memphis.
Gibson is an intriguing option for Washington out of the backfield, despite having limited exposure at Memphis. After playing two years at East Central Community College (Decatur, Mississippi), Gibson made the transition to Memphis, first as a wide receiver in 2018 then as a running back in 2019.
Gibson didn’t exactly stand out as a runner at Memphis, but his ability to play in both the run and the pass is what will make him a standout rookie in 2020. Think about how Ron Rivera used Christian McCaffrey in Carolina. I’m not saying Gibson will be McCaffrey, but the skill set is similar enough that the comparison isn’t outlandish.
There’s not a clear answer right now in the Washington backfield and given Gibson’s ceiling ability, he could emerge as the best scheme fit for the team. Even on a team with Chase Young, I see a possibility that Gibson is the most impressive rookie for Washington in 2020.