Redskins Draft RB Derrius Guice and OT Geron Christian
The second and third-round picks for the 2018 NFL Draft were announced tonight and the Washington Redskins drafted LSU RB Derrius Guice (59th overall) and Louisville OT Geron Christian (74th overall).
The Redskins started the day with only one pick in the second-round (44th overall). That all changed when Washington came to an agreement with the San Francisco 49’ers. Washington agreed to send their 44th and 142nd pick in exchange for the 49’ers 59th and the 74th pick.
The Redskins may have struck gold in this years draft by selecting Guice. Guice was projected to be a first-round draft pick, but teams seemed to have concerns with his off the field issues. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that sources said that Guice is “immature” and “high maintenance,” and also noted that some of his visits with teams did not go well. Here is what the running back had to say about his off the field issues for himself.
“It did surprise me because a lot of the things came out of nowhere and weren’t true, and I just didn’t understand why me out of all people because I’m great to everybody. I have a great personality and I just didn’t understand why everything just hit so hard with me out of everybody,” Guice said on a conference call. “I’m just thankful to know that this whole process is over with, that an organization believed in me and trusted in me and I’m just ready to get to work.”
On the field, Guice will be a problem for opposing defenses. The former LSU Tiger led all SEC running backs with 1,387 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last year despite starting just six games.
According to Redskins Insider JP Finlay, the Redskins plan on Guice being their first and second down back.
Gruden on Guice: Our role for him is quite easy to see, 1st and 2nd down
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) April 28, 2018
The Redskins also added another OT to the depth chart. Geron Christian is 6-foot-5 and 298 pounder who plays at a dominate level.
Christian played three seasons with the Louisville Cardinals where he experienced taking snaps at both tackle spots. Christian possesses good overall athleticism and quick footwork. Pro Football Focus ranked Christian 13th among draft-eligible tackles in run-blocking success percentage in 2017 (93.6).
Christian will provide insurance to the the tackle position, and will most likely make Ty Nsekhe move to guard. If anyone can change a tackle into a guard overnight, it would be Redskins offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Rounds four through seven of the NFL Draft start at noon ET on Saturday, April 28.
