Raiders 2020 NFL Draft Profile: WR/RB Antonio Gibson

With the 2020 NFL Draft approaching, let’s take a look at a potential Las Vegas Raiders target, Memphis wide receiver/running back Antonio Gibson.

We are more than a week through free agency and already the Las Vegas Raiders look to be in a better position to draft the best player available instead of reaching for need with the plethora of signings that they have made so far.

While the Raiders recently signed former Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor, they are still in need of a true difference-maker on the perimeter.

The Raiders also have a need for a backup running back. Jalen Richard was re-signed but he is more of a pass-catcher and isn’t that great of a runner in between the tackles.

Insert Antonio Gibson — a running back/wide receiver hybrid who would partly fill two positions of need. Of course, The Raiders need a true No. 1 option at wide receiver, and Gibson is not that guy, but in the mid-to-late rounds he is definitely a prospect to take into consideration.

#19. Stats. Scouting Report. WR/RB. Memphis. Antonio Gibson. player. 858

Gibson stands at 6-foot and weighs 228 pounds. He started his college career at East Central Community College before transferring to Memphis in 2017.

His production was limited as a junior during the 2018 season, only appearing in five games and catching six passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns.

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He dwarfed those numbers as a senior, with 38 receptions for 735 yards and eight receiving touchdowns, and 33 rushing attempts for 369 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He also played kick returner and took one to the house.

Strengths

Speed
Shiftiness
Versatile
Soft and consistent hands
Quick-release
Solid run blocker

With 14 TDs on only 77 career touches, Gibson is always a threat to take it to the house when the ball is in his hands. His elite speed and shiftiness led to seven of his touchdowns coming from 40+ yards.

Despite mostly playing in the slot, he showed some solid run blocking as well. He’s tough and uses his strong lower body to produce power when driving into blockers.

He also comes off the line lightning quick, and his crisp and quick feet allow him to beat press at the line despite not being very tall or long.

As a running back, all of his carries were out of the shotgun or pistol, and despite his elite speed and shiftiness, he mostly ran in between the tackles and showed the ability to get tough yards.

Weaknesses

1 year of production
Limited route tree
Route-running ability in general needs work
Only played in the slot when at WR

The fact that Gibson only has one year of real production is likely the main reason he is a projected mid-to-late-rounder despite his dynamic athleticism.

It also shows in how he ran a limited route tree and wasn’t always the smoothest route runner on more complex routes he was asked to run.

This is why many project him to be a running back at the next level which is what he played at the Senior Bowl.

Conclusion

While some teams may turn him into a full-time running back, I believe he has more potential as a slot receiver/gadget player. The Raiders may have their slot receiver in Hunter Renfrow, but he and Gibson have opposite skill sets.

Renfrow converts a large percentage of his catches into first downs due to his awareness and crisp routes, while Gibson takes a large percentage of his touches for touchdowns due to his dynamic big-play ability.

The Raiders need more speed on the offensive side of the ball and a versatile athlete like Gibson would be the perfect fit in Jon Gruden’s short passing game predicated on the receiver’s ability to get YAC, which is Gibson’s best ability.

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Mike Mayock made it clear he values the Senior Bowl more so than the NFL Combine, and with Gibson’s solid Senior Bowl outing, he is definitely a guy who may be high on the Raiders draft board come late April.

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