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These NFL rookies will outperform their draft position in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

AJ Dillon, Boston College Eagles. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
AJ Dillon, Boston College Eagles. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Antonio Gibson, Washington Redskins
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Runningback Antonio Gibson #24 from Memphis of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. RB. Antonio Gibson. 6. player. Pick Analysis. Washington Redskins. 58

The Redskins offense wasn’t short on running backs in 2019, but they were short on guys who could make big plays. Gibson will immediately give Ron Rivera and his coaching staff an offensive weapon that’s capable of producing long touchdowns every time he touches the football.

The only real question is where he’s going to line up next season. He’s probably not going to beat out Adrian Peterson or Derrius Guice for conventional rushing attempts. Instead, Gibson’s best chance to make a mark as a rookie will come as a third-down back.

That’s where Washington can work to create matchups that will yield Gibson a chance to make plays in space. Throwing passes to him out of the backfield is fine, but he could be even more productive when he’s flexed out into the slot. Anytime Gibson gets a chance to work one-on-one against a linebacker it’s going to give the Redskins offense a chance to make a big play.

Gibson isn’t going to get a ton of touches as a rookie, but he has the chance to really make them count. If he can give this offense a few long scoring plays during the 2020 season it could drastically improve Dwayne Haskins’ chances of having a successful year under center.

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