Fansided

Washington Redskins: 5 burning questions in 2018

By Rucker Haringey

LANDOVER MD - DECEMBER 17: Washington head Jay Gruden during the Washington Redskins defeat of the Arizona Cardinals 20 - 15 in Landover MD on December 17, 2017 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
LANDOVER MD - DECEMBER 17: Washington head Jay Gruden during the Washington Redskins defeat of the Arizona Cardinals 20 - 15 in Landover MD on December 17, 2017 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
NFL Draft
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 01: Derrius Guice No. 5 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after a touchdown run against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame won 21-17. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Will Derrius Guice produce as a rookie?

Last year Guice was doing his best to pick up yards against SEC defenses on Saturdays. This year it will be his job to grind out yards against NFL opponents on Sundays. That adjustment can be awfully tough for a first-year player to deal with.

The Redskins are betting big on Guice’s ability to make the leap. They didn’t spend a second round pick on him for him to watch from the sidelines as a rookie. Washington’s coaching staff has been very clear about their expectations for Guice to play early and often.

He better be really productive as a rookie, because there aren’t any really exciting options behind him. Rob Kelley is listed as his backup at the moment, but Samaje Perine is the guy you want as his handcuff in fantasy. Expect the former Oklahoma star to get any carries Guice can’t soak up.

It may be unfair to expect big numbers from Guice, but this offense needs him to be excellent. If the Redskins are going to be a playoff team, they might need a 1,000-yard season from their rookie running back. All of the preseason chatter about Smith revolutionizing the offense is all well and good, but Guice’s ability to power this run game is just as important.

Home/Washington Commanders