Running Back Watch: 5 Rookies that are Flying Up the Depth Chart

Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders)

The Washington franchise is entering its inaugural season as the Commanders. The team was considered a dark horse entering the 2021 season, but after an underwhelming seven-win season, it became clear that they needed a new direction. They are still led by veteran head coach Ron Rivera and have a new signal-caller in town, Carson Wentz.

Terry McLaurin is undoubtedly the top option in the wide receiver room, but the same cannot be said at running back. While many expected Antonio Gibson to end all speculation with a strong offseason, he’s only gone on to exasperate the issues. Gibson is a converted wide receiver that the team drafted and moved to running back in 2020.

Gibson battled injuries in 2021 but still put together a productive season despite that. It seems to be clearer every day that the regime in Washington is not keen on Gibson’s potential as a feature back going forward. On paper, Gibson exceeded the 1000-yard mark on the ground and chipped in 42 receptions in the passing game, but always had a short leash.

You’d think those numbers would be enough to secure the top spot on the depth chart, but a few things have thrown a wrench in that. First and foremost, Gibson has struggled with ball security. He fumbled recently in a preseason game and quickly found himself in Ron Rivers’s dog house yet again. Since then, another player has been pushing for snaps with the first team.

Third-round pick, Brian Robinson Jr., has been phenomenal this offseason. By all accounts, he has been a true professional since being drafted at No. 98 overall out of Alabama. Robinson only served as the starter for one season in Tuscaloosa, which means he has less mileage than many of his peers from this draft class.

Robinson’s ability to take care of the football, as well as being an elite blocker in the backfield, has caused Rivera and Co. to give the former Crimson Tide standout increased opportunities this offseason. Adding in the fact that Gibson has struggled and seemingly has never been in the front office’s favor, Brian Robinson Jr. should take over the starting job by the end of 2022.