2018 Prospect Preview: LSU RB Derrius Guice can hit the long ball

LSU RB Derrius Guice will have the opportunity this coming season to make the case of top running back prospects in the 2018 draft. He is currently one of two running backs that have a PFF Day 1 projection.
Despite living in Leonard Fournette’s shadow the past two seasons, Guice earned a higher grade than Fournette in 2016. His 2016 grade of 82.9 ranks No. 4 among returning running backs.
When it comes to breaking long runs, no returning draft-eligible running back has produced more. Among those, Guice had the highest percentage of his carries go for 15 or more yards at 12.9 percent. Guice earned 59.7 percent of his yards on those types of runs which was No. 3 among returning running backs.
Guice was very consistent as a chain-mover in 2016 earning either a first down or touchdown on 32.8 percent of his carries, the No. 6 ranked mark among draft-eligible running backs.
With Guice’s role likely to expand this coming season, he may be able to show more in the passing game where he has received just 19 targets over the past two seasons. In 2016, Guice struggled protecting the passer earning the No. 65 pass blocking efficiency at 94.3 (returning running backs).