As we start looking ahead towards the 2023 NFL season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move, with key events like free agency continuing to roll on and the 2023 NFL Draft still to come. Whether you’re used to the dynasty game or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of RB Antonio Gibson.
Antonio Gibson’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
Antonio Gibson will never be the running back some of us think he can be. It’s okay. Sometimes that happens. The skill set is there. The burst and pass-catching skills are evident. He can be an RB1, but that will not happen, as Gibson is an RB that will likely live in a committee, even once he leaves Washington.
After back-to-back RB12 finishes, averaging 1,186.5 yards and 10.5 touchdowns on 262 opportunities, Gibson took a massive step back in 2022. It started to seem like Gibson might be somewhat safe in his role despite the addition of Brian Robinson, but that denial went away quickly the minute we saw Gibson playing on special teams – not even as a returner but as a blocker at times, which still baffles me.
Gibson started the season off with two top-15 performances when Robinson was on IR, averaging 13.1 PPR on 17.5 opportunities and 68.5 yards per contest. But both backs were in the RB3 or RB4 range when Robinson returned.
Gibson was the RB34 in points per game, trading in goal-to-go opportunities for targets. He acted as the primary receiving back with a 14.2% target share, averaging three catches on four targets and 22 receiving yards per game. Yet he was vastly out-carried by Robinson 16.7 to 8.7 on the ground and averaged just 33.9 rushing yards.
Additionally, Gibson missed the final two games due to a foot injury requiring offseason surgery. Unfortunately, the committee only hurts both RBs’ upside, especially Gibson. The lack of touchdowns, which Gibson was prolific at accumulating during his rookie year with a stretch of seven TDs on 55 touches, was especially frustrating. However, there is a silver lining, as his PPR upside should remain. With Robinson slated as the starting RB, Gibson has some under-the-radar value in PPR formats.
Antonio Gibson Dynasty Fantasy Ranking
Gibson will be a free agent after the 2023 season and could hit the market with some momentum. And it’s worth noting that J.D. McKissic is coming off a neck injury with an out in his contract, placing Gibson in the prime position to dominate the targets. There is a path where he breaks the 50 reception mark in 2023 as a sneaky good low-end RB2, but he’ll more likely be a reliable RB3/4.
Once dynasty managers make up their minds on someone, it is nearly impossible for that to be changed, and unfortunately for Gibson, the community largely believes the chances of him being a reliable option are behind him.
This is reflected in his current value as despite two RB1 seasons and still being 24 years old, Gibson is the RB35 in PPR formats. In Superflex leagues, where quarterbacks see an increase in value due to positional scarcity, Gibson is the No. 116 overall.
If Gibson sees the full receiver workload and is the beneficiary of Sam Howell checking the ball down, there is certainly some value to be had for Gibson if you buy low on him right now. Especially when considering the Commanders didn’t add anyone of note for competition and new assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy loves to utilize RBs out of the backfield. Just look at Jerick McKinnon, for example.
But what happens in 2024 is anyone’s guess. Likely Gibson will end up in a committee as a receiving back in a similar role, but there should be solid efficiency on a per-touch basis if he can find a more up-tempo offense. That’s worth a shot, considering Gibson is coming off the boards in the double-digit rounds.