Guice Is Nice

April 12th, 2018

Sleeper?

It’s hard to suggest arguably the second-best running back in the draft is a sleeper. But a nationally respected NFL analyst is starting to think folks are sleeping on the guy.

And that would be LSU running back Derrius Guice.

Doug Farrar of Bleacher Report has been studying film of Guice. Not just last year, but since Guice first touched a football in a game for LSU.

Farrar is of the mind Guice might just blow up on the NFL this season.

@BR_DougFarrar: I love Saquon Barkley’s tape, but when I put on Derrius Guice’s 2016 pre-injury tape–he looks like RB1. Almost as explosive and just a freaking wildebeast after contact. If Guice can still be that guy, think I’d rather have him.

Those are some strong words for a guy the Bucs are heavily considering. He’s had both a private workout for the Bucs and was one of the team’s 30 allotted team-facility visits.

If Guice can break tackles like Farrar types, that’s money.

55 Responses to “Guice Is Nice”

  1. darin Says:

    I’m not gona pretend Ive watched a bunch of tape on Barkley or Guice or any of the others. I just hope Licht gets it right. I’d much prefer he finds a trade partner and gets more picks and picks up a late 1st early 2nd round rb. After pulling up all his drafts a few weeks back I’m not counting on it tho. He is an anxious worrier come draft weekend. Hope the fact he has no 3 makes him do it different this time.

  2. Fire the Glazers Says:

    How about Damien Harris out of Alabama?
    He’s got tread left on his tires.
    He shared carries yet still got 1,000 yds rushing.
    Played better than Bo Scarborough…

  3. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    There is no question that it would help greatly if we could trade down and pick up extra picks…..using them to trade back up to get players like Guice.

    If one of the big three aren’t there at 7….we need to trade if at all possible…

    Would like to come out of this draft with a RB, G, CB, S and a DE…..

  4. lambchop Says:

    It all depends on what happens in the draft. I won’t complain with either Barkley, Guice, Michel, or Chubb. Penny is good value wherever he ends up getting drafted, but not a top 3 RB in this draft. But, if we pick #7 or #38 without any changes to our draft position, it will be between Barkley, Michel, and Chubb. Guice is gone in the teens or 20s.

    Guice is definitely Nice!

    I’m not worried about the injury. A RB can get injured at any point in time, so it’s really about his ability and he has shown great down hill running and I love his point of impact. He’s more smash mouth than Barkley. Does that mean one will be more durable in the long term than the other? Time will tell.

  5. Lunchbox Says:

    I’d love it if we got Guice, although if we could trade back to the teens to get him, that would be better. From what I’ve seen, he looks just as good as Barkley, so picking him in the teens would represent better value

  6. BigBucFan11 Says:

    @Fire the Glazers

    Damien Harris is returning to Alabama for his senior season. Probably a smart move for him too. They really cut his red zone opportunities in favor of Scarborough and Najee Harris toward the end of the season.

  7. lambchop Says:

    There is more and more speculation that the Giants and Bills have the conditions of a trade in place. But, I have also heard that if the Browns select any QB other than Darnold, the Giants are enamored with Darnold and would pick him #2.

    So much can happen in this draft, and a lot will. Getcha popcorn ready!

  8. Gambelero Says:

    Evans, Vea, James, Davenport or Fitzpatrick and Guice in a Buffalo tradedown. Guice and Hernandez or Wynn plus a couple more second round picks in a NE tradedown. Still those are best case scenarios, because everything points to Barkley at 7. The huge premium the QB coveting teams will pay is too much for the NYGs and Cleveland to pass up. Elway and Ballard will take Chubb and Nelson. No way either one takes Barkley.

  9. Rick Says:

    Here’s an angle to ponder (among the many others, I’m so ready for the analysis, worrying, and guessing to be over lol) Big 3 are gone, we get no trade down partner. Take Guice at 7 and best DB available in RD 2? Probably leaves us shy of a needed top G For the running game to really shine and keep defenses guessing and constantly on their heels. Luke Easterling has us mocked to trading down and getting Will Hernandez and J. Alexander in the 1st. For the 2nd Guice and Sony are gone but N. Chubb realistically could be there, those 3 sound quite good to me. 4th take best DE to learn from JPP, Thoughts? P.S my sincere apologies to any/all that responded and may have wondered about my follow up to any posts. Working 84 hours a week on top of all the other stuff life has for us to do has me with so little extra time for much else. Truly would like to have more time to share and scrutinize with some very astute Buc brothers and sisters here on JBF. THANKS TO THE JOES AS WELL FOR HAVING THIS SITE AND THEIR INPUT & WORK, WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON THE PROCESS AND ANALYSIS, BUT BEING RESPECTFUL AND OPEN TO OTHER OPINIONS IS A PART OF LIFE. ULTIMATELY MOST OF US (TROLLS AND THE HATEFUL CAN DISAPPEAR PLEASE) WANT THE SAME RESULT FOR OUR TEAM BACK TO RESPECTABILITY AND IN CONTENTION FOR PLAYOFFS ON A YEARLY BASIS. GO BUCS AND GO BOLTS!!

  10. Chris Says:

    Guice looks awesome but what we really need is whomever was blocking for him because he had huge open running lanes and was often untouched

  11. Joeypoppems Says:

    Anybody who thinks Guice is RB2 is sleeping on him. He is the best RB in this class.

  12. Buccaneer scotty Says:

    How many would freak out if we grabbed him or Sony at #7 lmao I love them both! Then grab Hernandez with the second pick?

  13. Brenton Says:

    I don’t understand why so many fans don’t consider Jones with the group of Guice, Michel and sometimes even Penny. I think Jones is the 2nd best. I don’t claim to be an expert at all, but from what I’ve watched Jones has it all. I love rbs with that patient running style where they just explode once the hole opens. That is definitely Jones. If he wasn’t hurt during the combine I’m pretty sure he would be considered number 2 or 3 by most. I like most though, like a lot of rbs in this draft and would be happy with 8-10 guys at rb.

  14. Brenton Says:

    I really hope we don’t take Guice at 7 like some suggest. I don’t see how Guice and the 5th or 6th best corner is better than Ward/Derwin/Minkah and whoever is available out of Guice/Michel/Jones/Penny/Chubb. I do think if we traded back with the Pats it becomes much more understandable if Guice was our first pick even though I still prefer waiting until the 2nd rounder and taking whoever is still available. Best case we trade with the Bills and get their 2 first rounders. That way we could still get one of (Ward/Derwin/Minkah), a rb and a guard, end or more secondary. That is the dream scenerio to me. Lets go Buccs!

  15. Joeypoppems Says:

    I love Guice more than anybody on this site and even I think taking Guice at 7 is a mistake.

    The only way the Bucs should take a RB in the 1st round is if they end up with 2 1st round picks. And even then Idk if I would love that idea.

  16. LostinPA Says:

    @Breton everything i’ve heard about Jones is he isn’t good between the tackles. He might be a great complimentary back to Payton Barber but there are more complete RB1s I’d rather have.

  17. Walter Seidel Says:

    LSU PRODUCES NFL talent…..GEAUX TIGERS!

  18. Joeypoppems Says:

    And Ronald Jones is in the same tier as Michel and Chubb.

    Guice
    Barkley
    Michel
    Chubb
    Jones

    Those are the top 5 RBs to me (in that order). The problem Jones is having is apparently he hasnt been doing well in team interviews which could cause him to slide.

    Wouldnt shock me if Penny was drafted before him.

    The real sleeper RBs are John Kelly and Mark Walton. They are in the same tier as Penny and Kerryon Johnson for me.

  19. Bucsfanman Says:

    YES. PLEASE. THANK YOU!
    That’s running with “attitude”!

  20. DR FEELGOOD Says:

    Damien Harris stayed at Bama. He isn’t an option. He’s a stud though. Guice would be so sweet!! I think we have to trade down in the first or back up into the late first to get him though.

  21. gotbbucs Says:

    This is just another year where the best running back to come out of this class probably won’t be the 1st one taken.

  22. gotbbucs Says:

    I actually really really like Mark Walton Jr. as the sleeper running back in this class if his ankle checks out.

  23. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    This draft is DEEP at running back, and guess what ? We will be taking one of them!
    Walter Football likes this LSU Running back, but make no mistake guys, he is good, but not a Leonard Fornette.

    Guice looks like a future feature back for pro offense who should the engine of a potent rushing attack.

    Guice has the ability to be a three-down starter in the NFL’s passing-driven game. Like almost all college backs, his receiving and blocking could use some development. He has the skill set, however, to be a contributor in the passing game and be a good three-down starter who has Pro Bowl potential in the NFL.

    Guice looks like a high second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he has a shot at sneaking into the end of the first round.

  24. Bobby M. Says:

    He seems to run a bit high/upright……just has the speed to pull it off at college level. Reminds me of Reggie Bush. I think Barkley is the cant miss guy in that he’ll be a steady 3 down starter, not sure if i would say he’s the next Zeke but he’ll be solid. One of the Georgia backs i believe is the diamond in the rough….

  25. TBChucky Says:

    I’d love to have him. Maybe if we can coerce Buffalo to trade up.. Would #12 be too early for Guice?

  26. Guzzie Says:

    Ronald Jones was excellent at running up the middle the main concern is his weight at 205, he would fit perfectly splitting time with Barber, also he never fumbles

  27. Joeypoppems Says:

    I would take Guice over Fournette if they were both in this class. Out of the past 3 drafts, Zeke and Gurley are the only RBs I liked more than Guice.

  28. BringBucsBack Says:

    No one is sleeping on Guice. They are keeping their pie-holes closed for their own interest.

  29. Rrsrq Says:

    Since the Richie Incognito retirement, I doubt the Bills move their picks, they need multiple players on the o-line and a QB

  30. Destinjohnny Says:

    He is posting these numbers in a Confrence that produces more NFL players then any other Confrence, especially on D

    Also how does lsu ever lose?

  31. Joeypoppems Says:

    If anybody is interested in the background of Derrius Guice and the struggles he had to deal with growing up, this is an EXCELLENT read.

    http://thelab.bleacherreport.com/run-angry/

  32. doctor_berto Says:

    Derwin and Guice first two rounds

  33. Pickgrin Says:

    Guice will go top 25. Maybe even top 20.

    He does seem to be the RB that the Bucs are most interested in aside from Barkley falling to 7 of course.

    Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Licht find a way to draft this player.

  34. Destinjohnny Says:

    Watch Jason trade up with the Broncos and get him at the 5 pick

  35. Kobe Faker Says:

    guice is 3 times better than fournette

    guice knows how to setp up blocks, studder step/change gears/bounce outside like a natural born rb

    guice if healthy is hall of fame material…

    bellichick knows this

  36. USFBUC Says:

    Draft day dream – Bills trade up to 7 for their 12 and 22 and maybe a fourth. Then the Patriots see a guy they love and trade their two picks in the first to move up to 12 and maybe a 5th rounder.

    We now pick at 22, 23, 31 and the 6th pick in the second round. With those picks we take the best OG available, Guice, best larger CB available, and then either Michel/Chubb or Ronnie Harrison with our second round pick.

    If the Bucs don’t like Harrison then they take an extra RB and draft the kid from Texas A&M in the fourth round if he is still available. We then trade one of our fourth round picks for Ronald Darby.

  37. Batman Wood Says:

    Rather take Kerryon Johnson later on. More complete back than Guice.

  38. BuccaneEric75 Says:

    USF, I love that trade scenario. The Pats would probably have be going for Lamar Jackson and getting ahead of Arizona. I don’t think we’d get more than the 1st rounders from both teams, however. The chart points line up pretty good on those. It depends on how bad the teams want to move up and how much Licht will risk asking for to keep the trades from falling apart. I’m sure all of the GMs have told each other in advance that depending on how the draft falls that they might be getting a call.

  39. 813bucboi Says:

    Joeypoppems Says:
    April 12th, 2018 at 5:07 am
    Anybody who thinks Guice is RB2 is sleeping on him. He is the best RB in this class.

    ^^BINGO^^

    I completely agree!!!!!….I think he and barkley are on the same level but guice faced tougher competition…..would love to trade down and get him and will hernandez…..

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!!…..GO BUCS!!!!

  40. mog2010 Says:

    Did not like his hissy fit over his gloves against ND

  41. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Dimitri Flowers in a later round. Fans will love him.

    Use the early picks for the lines or secondary.

  42. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    And doesn’t Guice have off the field issues?

  43. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    @USFBUC

    Jason Licht would be considered a genius if he pulled that off. It would be amazing.

    And DE Sam Hubbard would be a good pick on one of them.

  44. NFLNut Says:

    I love Guice and watched him a ton … but, if Licht takes any RB at #7 not named Saquon, that is a fireable offense.

  45. Mike in LOL Says:

    Hey Joey, thanks for the read!!

  46. Joeypoppems Says:

    @Mike in LOL

    No problem. Anybody who can read that and root against the kid isnt human.

  47. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    @USFBUC

    I’m with Bonzai on this one. Love your idea but that’s a lot of pieces that have to fall in place. If we got that LUCKY I do like how you would spend the extra loot.

    Since your USF do you think we should be looking at Flowers?

    I love this kid and realize he’s short and not that fast but the kid is a winner!! He has that IT factor. Most NFL teams will be looking to convert him. Perhaps he can have a Hines Ward type career but I would like to see him as more of a Kordell Stewart. I realize he’s no competition for #3 at the QB position but he could be a nice change of pace and could lineup at many positions. You don’t have to line up behind center to get a chance to throw it as the Belicheats prove every year.

    I realize Flowers statistical limitations but the kids has a ton of heart and that’s hard to quantify. I’d definitely be willing to throw a later round pick at him as a project…not to be our starting QB of course…but to play many positions.

    What say ye USF faithful…is Flowers worth a look later in the draft?

  48. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    NFLNut

    Agree completely. He may run a little harder but he is 3/4 of a second slower in the 40 than Barkley. Do we want a pounder or a game breaker?

  49. Pickgrin Says:

    SPBF – Guice ran a 4.49. Less than 1/10th of a second slower than Barkley.

    Same 40 time as Cook and McCaffrey. Would you consider those 2 top RBs from last year “pounders” or “game breakers”?

    Maybe it would be nice to combine those 2 attributes eh??

    That’s one of the few legit “knocks” against Barkley – his College tape does not show a whole lot of tough, grind it out running…

  50. 813bucboi Says:

    pickgrin says: That’s one of the few legit “knocks” against Barkley – his College tape does not show a whole lot of tough, grind it out running…

    I agree….very reggie bushish……

    #NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!

  51. USFBUC Says:

    @bonzai – he would be safe for a long time if he pulled off that draft and it is a ton of if that have to fall into place but both the Bills and the Pats are being talked about in regards to moving up.

    @SPBF – I don’t know what Flowers would be in the NFL, maybe a slot receiver? He has heart and he is elusive but I think he winds up being a firefighter, which is his fall back if he doesn’t make it in the NFL.

  52. lambchop Says:

    @Chris,

    Most of the highlights showed Guice in single back set. At the most, I saw one play where a guard pulled and one play where a TE came in motion to help block. Other than that, those holes were all created by that OL.

  53. USFBUC Says:

    @bonzai – I like Green, Holmes, Ejiofor, and Thomas at DE too just because they check that prototype height and weight. Green is probably going in the second round so we likely have no shot at him but I wouldn’t mind them drafting any of those guys in the middle rounds.

  54. Chris Schiefen Says:

    This is the guy who supposedly made up the “hey, are you gay” story about the pre-draft interview. I’ve read elsewhere he’s not seen as a good guy. Less talented Doug Martin, pass.

  55. USFBUC Says:

    @Chris Schiefen – I just did a search and I didn’t find anything about him making up the story; everything I see says it’s still being investigated.