Cleveland Browns: Top 5 running back targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
2. Derrius Guice, LSU
Louisiana State’s Derrius Guice is an old-school, rough and tumble style running back. He screams power runner, but his speed is also an integral part of his game. LSU’s replacement for Leonard Fournette garnered plenty of scout attention in 2017.
On the year, he rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns. But really, that was the least important part of his game in 2017. What is incredible about Guice is his ability to wear down defenses.
At the NFL level, getting the opposing defense tired is a focal point of any offense. With Guice’s durability, toughness, and tackle-breaking ability, he could be a great back for any team looking to shore up their physical running game.
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Even playing with a minor injury in his game against Troy this season, Guice showed that he can physically go just a few weeks later. By the end of the year, Guice looked just as good, if not better than ever, and he still had not fully recovered.
Guice is a solid mix of speed and strength, and at 5-foot-11 and 212-pounds, he has some of the size that teams love as well. With 18 catches for 124 yards, he showed shiftiness and catching ability out of the backfield as well.
There are plenty of running back options in this draft class, but Guice has set himself apart from most of the others. His incredibly impressive career with the Louisiana State Tigers has all but locked him in as a first round pick come April’s draft.