NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Oakland Raiders: 5 Sleeper first-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

By Gil Alcaraz IV

BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 14: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers runs the ball during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LSU defeated the Auburn 27-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 14: Derrius Guice #5 of the LSU Tigers runs the ball during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The LSU defeated the Auburn 27-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Yes, I know the Raiders already have Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin. In my opinion, that doesn’t mean squat. Lynch is an aging option who may not want to move to Las Vegas, and Martin is still desperately trying to recreate the magic of his rookie season.

What I’m saying is neither runner is a sure thing. And behind them, Oakland doesn’t have a whole lot to boast about. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are both quality change-of-pace backs, but they belong in that role. Forcing them to start is only going to yield negative results for a Raiders offense that must improve in 2018.

Well, if Gruden wants to hedge his Lynch/Martin bet, Derrius Guice could be the answer.

While not as dynamic of a talent as Saquon Barkley, there’s going to be plenty of interest in the former LSU star in the first round. He’s not an elite athlete, but Guice’s violent running style and ability to fill the highlight reel are exciting. Even though he’s coming off an injury-filled 2017 season, his 2016 tape shows a running back ready to take the NFL by storm.

Here’s more: NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to Lynch. Guice lands in Oakland, takes 2018 to learn from Lynch while working in a committee, and then assumes the starting role as a sophomore. By then, he’s ready to serve as the Raiders’ workhorse in the ground game.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders