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Washington quarterback Kyle Allen knows Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey well. Allen spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with the Panthers handing the ball off to McCaffrey.
Allen saw McCaffrey rush for over 1,000 yards in those two years and catch over 100 passes in 2018 and 2019. McCaffrey also scored 32 touchdowns during those two seasons.
After Tuesday’s practice, Allen met with the media and was asked about Washington running back Antonio Gibson and how he is different from his rookie season in 2020.
Allen’s answer should make Washington fans — and fantasy football fans — very happy.
You saw Christian McCaffrey in this offense a couple of years ago. Obviously, one of the best players in the league, but I think that’s where we’re trying to push Antonio to go. And he’s improved a ton. Just think, last year, he was a receiver coming in as a running back. This year, he has a year under his belt, where he played very well, 10-plus touchdowns, and he’s gaining a lot more confidence, playing a lot faster, he’s understanding it, he’s making decisions quicker. The more reps he gets, the better he gets. He’s just been continuously getting better.
A former college wide receiver, Gibson became a full-time running back for the first time in his rookie season in the NFL in 2020 — and thrived. Gibson rushed for 795 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite missing time late in the season with a toe injury.
Throughout this offseason, coaches have said they want Gibson more involved in the passing game. He proved in college he was certainly capable of making big plays as a receiver.
LIVE: QB Kyle Allen speaks to the media after practice https://t.co/pls6uW9GJw
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 17, 2021
Finally, someone asked Allen if Gibson can have similar production to McCaffrey in Washington’s offense.
Allen’s response:
“I think we try and use him that way,” Allen said. “I’m not trying to compare him to him (McCaffrey), but that’s the way we’re trying to go with it. I think he has the potential.”
If Gibson receives a similar amount of opportunies as McCaffrey does in Carolina, he could be one of fantasy football’s top players in 2021.