Redskins should consider trading up for Derrius Guice in Round 2

The Washington Redskins fixed one of their major holes on Day 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft by landing Da’Ron Payne. In Round 2, they could have a chance to find a franchise running back, and Derrius Guice could get some consideration.

In the lead up to the 2018 NFL Draft, there were many Washington Redskins fans who wanted the team to consider drafting Derrius Guice with the No. 13 overall pick. Guice, a running back from LSU, was a powerful runner with elusive ability and some decent top-end speed. By adding him, the team would get a three-down back and would fix a problem that had long been plaguing their team.

However, the Redskins were never likely to take Guice at 13, solely because of the lack of value being placed on the running back position coupled with the lower value on Guice. Three running backs went ahead of him, Saquon Barkley, Rashaad Penny, and Sony Michel. Of the group, Penny was the only real surprise. And at the end of Round 1, Guice was still left on the board and hasn’t found a home. That said, now may be the time for the Redskins to pounce and consider going up to get him.

Often at the beginning of the second day, there are a lot of opportunities for teams to move up the draft board to get falling first round prospects. And this year will be no different. With Joshua Jackson, Harold Landry, and Guice all on the board, there will be some teams picking outside the top five of the round who may want to move up. And the Redskins could be among them.

The Redskins demonstrated a high level of interest in Guice throughout the entire draft process. Though Guice was never realistically an option with their first round pick, the team could have considered him if they traded back into Round 1. But, nothing ever materialized. However, at the start of Day 2, that could change.

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With extra time to make a decision about moving up, Bruce Allen and Doug Williams may decide that it’s in the team’s best interest to move up in the second round to get Guice. At this point, the team really needs to get a running back, and there are only a few left in Round 2 who could be the answer. That would be Guice, Nick Chubb, and Ronald Jones. Though one is probably going to be available at pick No. 44, it may behoove the team to go up and get the prospect they like the most.

In terms of trade targets, the Browns and the Colts each have two picks in the top five of Round 2. And given that the Buccaneers are picking sixth and have a lot of interest in Guice, the Redskins would probably have to trade with one of them to ensure they get Guice.

If the team wanted the first pick in the round, belonging to the Browns, they could offer their second round pick and a fourth rounder this year, or they could cash in on the bevvy of picks they are bound to have next year, after the compensatory picks are determined. So, that could be an option for the team.

Next: Grading the Redskins first-round pick Da'Ron Payne

A trade up wouldn’t just have to be for Guice. They could target any of the falling prospects the like, including interior linemen Will Hernandez and James Daniels. It will be interesting to see if they are at least involved in trade talks. If not, they will still get a new back at pick 44. It just may not necessarily be their top choice.

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