A Former Hokie: Gibson went to college at Virginia Tech, where he played tackle and guard. He became the Hokies' starting left tackle during his senior year. Heading into the draft, scouts viewed him as a raw prospect who, with the right coaching, could develop into a serviceable option in the NFL.
Good Measurables: Gibson fared extremely well at the 2015 combine. There, he finished first among offensive linemen in the vertical jump and broad jump; he also posted impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash (5.04 seconds) and 20-yard short shuttle (4.56 seconds).
Rookie Experience: The Dallas Cowboys drafted Gibson in the seventh round, No. 243 overall. He broke a finger during the spring and, after missing OTAs and minicamp, was released by Dallas. He wasn't unemployed long, however: Gibson became a member of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad one day after leaving the Cowboys. The Chiefs released him earlier this month.
Impressive Wingspan: Gibson's arms, which measure at 38 ⅛ inches, can help him a lot against NFL-caliber talent. "It's an amazing advantage because it really just buys you time," he said of his arms. "The further away someone is from you, the more time you have to either react to what they're doing or perform your own action. It definitely helps when you can keep someone from like being in your body. You are the one controlling the situation when that happens."
A ZBS Fit: As someone who moves well laterally, Gibson could be a strong fit in Atlanta's outside zone blocking scheme. In fact, he learned a similar offense at Virginia Tech, where O-line coach Stacy Searels employed a system that mixed inside and outside zone plays. With experience at numerous positions, Gibson also brings the kind of versatility the Falcons want from their backups.
