If you were to ask your average NFL fan to list some of the most successful running backs to come out of the 2020 draft class, many would likely be quick to mention Clyde Edwards-Helaire, from the Kansas City Chiefs, or maybe D’Andre Swift, from the Detroit Lions.
Those two may have the name recognition among football fans, but they no longer have the top rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, it is Washington’s Antonio Gibson who owns the top spot when it comes to highest-graded rookie running backs in the NFL this season, with an 80.5 grade, nearly five points higher than the next closest man.
Highest-graded rookie RBs:
1. Antonio Gibson – 80.5
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire – 75.8
3. James Robinson – 75.1
4. Jonathan Taylor – 70.9
5. D'Andre Swift – 69.4 pic.twitter.com/0yArxO9JSG— PFF (@PFF) October 28, 2020
Through seven games this season, Gibson has 371 total yards and four touchdowns, with a high proficiency of breaking tackles and grabbing extra yards at the end of runs. On the contrary, CEH has a total of 551 yards so far this season, but only two touchdowns to show for it with a troubling lack of success at the goal line.
With the Chiefs bringing in Le’Veon Bell recently to help shoulder the load, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the gap start to widen, as well. For Gibson, his production could absolutely improve in the near future as well, with three of Washington’s next four games coming against the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys, all of whom are in the bottom half of the NFL when it comes to run-defense.
So is Gibson the best young RB in the NFL? It may be too early to say that just yet, but he’s absolutely made a name for himself seven games into his career, and there’s a reasonable expectation that his stock is going to continue to rise.
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