Kyle Smith sat on a backless metal bench as the Alabama winds whipped rough Ladd-Peeples Stadium. The Washington Redskins’ VP of player personnel and other members of the scouting department peered down on the Senior Bowl practices seeking talent in all shapes and sizes.
One prospect who continually shuffled from position to position garnered attention. The running back from the University of Memphis zipped past defenders with his 4.39 speed but also used his 228-pound frame to shake free. Tack on the breakaway wiggle that helped him average nearly 20 yards per reception last season, and Smith and offensive coordinator Scott Turner immediately pondered him with advanced receiving duties. The pair considered anything possible.
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With unique athletic versatility, the player defied a traditional position label. That’s what Washington’s staff witnessed in January at the Mobile workouts and throughout the pre-draft homework process.
From a usage standpoint, there are potential shades of Christian McCaffrey in the player, but it’s another one of Ron Rivera’s former Carolina players, Curtis Samuel, who makes for a cleaner comparison.
In Washington, which used its third-round pick Friday to get him, Rivera now has Antonio Gibson.
Before anyone tries tagging Gibson as running back or wide receiver, Gibson offers a suggestion.
“I want to be referred to as a weapon,” Gibson told the team’s website Friday night.
There’s no argument with that description from the organization.
“He was brought to our attention because they moved him around at the Senior Bowl,” Rivera said. “Kyle and his guys kept pointing him out.”
Speaking with local reporters over a Zoom conference call moments after selecting Gibson with the 66th overall selection, Rivera and Smith pointed out all the ways they envision using the 6-foot senior.
“He’s got good hands. He’s 228 pounds. He ran fast. He played fast. He’s got physicality to him,” Smith said. “The excitement came not only from the tape and his background, his character and how he’s wired but also speaking with Coach Turner and how he’s going to use him and all the other backs.”
Gibson, who later told reporters his mother grew up in the D.C. area, averaged 11.2 yards on 33 carries and 19.3 yards on 38 receptions at Memphis in 2019 and adds needed dynamism to an offense. But, the choice just doesn’t solve Washington’s main need areas, specifically tight end, cornerback, tackle and wide receiver. The Redskins went for a gadget over a staple. Gibson’s unique qualities, particularly out of the backfield, swayed the decision.
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“It’s not like with a normal running back,” Smith said. “You can put (Antonio) on the field with Adrian Peterson, with Derrius Guice, J.D. McKissic, Bryce (Love)… it opens up a lot of different options for our offense.”
Some players struggle to grasp the best version of their playing self. Like the singles hitter who swings for the fences or the basketball big man who drifts outside. That’s no issue here based on Gibson’s first interaction with local reporters.
“I want to be in the backfield, but also I want to, you know, fit in the receiving game,” Gibson said. “That’s what I want to bring to the team. My ability to catch out of the backfield, make plays happen, and also be able to run and also be able to protect the quarterback. Just an all-around team player and all-around back.”
The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler sees an “explosive play waiting to happen … excellent feet to pick, slide, and weave through the defense.”
Brugler slotted Gibson ninth among running backs.
“Gibson lacks refinement with his vision, tempo and patience from the backfield,” Brugler wrote in his draft preview,” but he is a broken-tackle machine with the versatile athleticism to create any time he touches the ball, projecting as a change-of-pace back who can line up in the slot and play special teams.”
Oh, right, special teams. That’s yet another part of the package. Gibson averaged 28 yards on kick returns last season, and Rivera said he could serve as a coverage gunner under special teams coach Nate Kaczor.
“I think to be able to contribute, whether he plays a situational role for us, specific packages,” Rivera said. “I also do think he can make an impact on our special teams. So, I’m excited about the young man’s ability to come in and help this football team from the beginning.”
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More picks come Saturday on Day 3 with Washington owning two selections in the fourth and seventh plus one in the fifth. There’s a tight end need with Missouri’s Albert Okwuegbunam atop the remaining options. Tacking on a pure wide receiver to play opposite Terry McLaurin works. If the never-ending saga with tackle Trent Williams finally ends with trade, then that position will need to be addressed as well.
Grabbing an every-down linebacker would bolster a defensive unit already upgraded with the selection of elite pass rusher Chase Young. Finding a valued cornerback like Notre Dame’s Troy Pride or Penn State’s John Reid covers the unit’s third level.
There are still holes to fill, even if Antonio Gibson’s multi-faceted game makes one feel like he alone covers them up.
(Photo: Joe Murphy / Getty Images)
Ben Standig is a senior NFL writer focused on the Washington Commanders for The Athletic. The native Washingtonian also hosts the "Standig Room Only" podcast. Ben has covered D.C. area sports since 2005 and is a three-time winner of The Huddle Report's annual NFL mock draft contest. Follow Ben on Twitter @benstandig
