Redskins draft WR/RB Antonio Gibson in round 3

April 24, 2020

by Steve Thomas

The Washington Redskins drafted University of Memphis wide receiver Antonio Gibson with the second pick round 3 of the 2020 NFL draft, 66th overall.  Gibson is a dual threat player who will add significant playmaking ability potentially both out of the backfield and as a receiver.

Gibson, who measured 6’0” and 228 pounds at the NFL Combine, hails from Stockbridge, Georgia, and spent two years at East Central Community College before transferring to Memphis for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.  In total, he played 19 games for the Tigers, with 33 carries for 369 yards, an average of 11.2 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns.  He also had 44 receptions for 834 yards, for an average of 19.0 yards per reception, and an additional 10 touchdowns.   In 2019, Gibson played 14 games, with all 33 of his carries coming last season, plus 38 receptions for 735 yards.  Gibson was also Memphis’ primary kick returner, with 23 returns for 645 yards and 1 touchdown and was named the AAC’s Special Teams Player of the Year in 2019.

At the NFL Combine, Gibson ran the 40 yard dash in an unofficial 4.39 seconds, posted 16 bench press reps at 225 pounds, and jumped 35 inches in the vertical leap and 9’10” in the standing broad jump.

Gibson is known as an explosive home run hitter, and is true dual-threat at both running back and wide receiver.  He played principally in a power run scheme in college, but spent more time at wide receiver than running back.  Most analysts view Gibson as more of a running back in the NFL, as his route running skills are underdeveloped by pro standards, but he is the embodiment of the modern, versatile offensive weapon, which is exactly what Washington has lacked since Chris Thompson was in his prime.  Expect Gibson to compete immediately for the kick return job and to eventually take over the third down back role.

Gibson is in many ways an unheralded, raw version of Christian McCaffrey, so head coach Ron Rivera doubtlessly views him as playing a similar role in the Redskins offense.  His down side is that he is inexperienced, with only 19 games at the FBS level, so he may be a player who needs some time reach his full potential.  Regardless, with this pick, the Redskins announced with clear intention their desire to bring serious playmaking ability to the offense and give quarterback Dwayne Haskins more weapons.