Second-Round (Jets/Seahawks) – LSU RB Derrius Guice
The G-Men used a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft on running back Paul Perkins and then selected Wayne Gallman in the fourth-round the following year. Neither tailback has locked down the starting role.
In fact, it was New York’s undrafted running back Orleans Darkwa that led the team in rushing this season. But he is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Retaining Darkwa should remain a priority for Big Blue, but that doesn’t mean Gettleman won’t select a tailback at some point during the 2018 draft.
Guice would make a perfect fit in New York’s backfield and could give the Giants a one-two punch alongside Gallman. LSU’s 5-foot-11, 218-pound running back officially declared for early entry on Wednesday.
It’s unknown if Guice will still be on the board in the middle of the second-round. But the Giants shouldn’t hesitate to snag LSU’s powerful tailback if he is still available. Kiper didn’t include the Tigers prospect on his Big Board, but Miller lists him as the ninth best player in the draft.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football projects Guice to be a second to third-round draft selection.
Only three running backs have gone in the first-round in the past two drafts, and Gettleman selected one of those players, Christian McCaffrey, last year with Carolina.
Through three seasons in Baton Rouge, Guice has amassed 3,074 rushing yards and has scored 32 touchdowns.