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Washington Redskins RB Derrius Guice on track to be the day one starter

By Ian Cummings

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 25: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game 45 - 21. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 25: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. LSU won the game 45 - 21. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Redskins know they need to improve their running game in 2018. Luckily for them, they might have found the perfect player to take on that challenge.

In the days leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft, there was talk that the Washington Redskins were trying to find a way to leave the event with both Alabama defensive tackle Daron Payne and LSU running back Derrius Guice in tow.

At the time, the notion was fun to think about, but deemed unlikely by many. Both Payne and Guice were first-round talents who were regularly projected to go off the board in the latter half of Round 1.

And so when the Washington Redskins, after acquiring Daron Payne in Round 1, traded back in Round 2, in order to pick up a third-rounder, and still managed to get Derrius Guice at No. 59, fans were understandably ecstatic.

There were rumors that Guice’s fall was the consequence of character concerns allayed to the league’s teams during the draft, but since his selection, not a whiff of that suspect character has been detected at Redskins Park. Guice has been not just a professional, but a delight, both on and off the field, and just as he has impressed with his mindset, he has also impressed with his play. According to ESPN’s John Keim, Guice has the inside lane on the Washington Redskins’ starting running back job.

While the Washington Redskins have a number of backs with starting experience, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Guice is the one with the lead. Guice was one of the best running backs in the 2018 NFL Draft, and one could argue that, as a pure runner, he was better than Saquon Barkley, who went to the New York Giants at No. 3 overall.

Next: Five reasons the Redskins will exceed expectations

Guice ended up being the seventh running back off the board, due to phantom character concerns that seem to have been formed without foundation. But from a talent perspective, he possesses the quickness and balance through contact to be considered one of the best. It appears as if he’ll get a chance to show it early this fall.

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