The 2018 NFL draft will get underway one week from today and that means the annual mock draft process will mercifully come to an end very soon. On Thursday, Rob Rang of nfldraftscout.com released his next to last mock draft of 2018 and his latest offering includes the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting LSU running back Derrius Guice with the 28th overall selection.
Rang writes:
Every draft has a surprise and the Steelers could be in position to provide this year’s shocker. As expected, Le’Veon Bell opted not to attend the Steelers’ voluntary mini-camp. While the issue likely will be resolved in plenty of time for Bell to star again for Pittsburgh in 2018, GM Kevin Colbert may opt to have his Super Bowl contender prepared with a powerful and determined back up option, just in case.
Guice, who the Steelers reportedly dined with a few weeks ago just ahead of the LSU pro day taking place, measured in at this year’s scouting combine at 5104, 224-pounds and he ran his 40-yard-dash in 4.49 seconds. In his three seasons at LSU, Guice rushed for 3,074 yards and 29 touchdowns on 471 total carries. He also caught 32 passes for 250 yards and another 3 touchdowns. Guice also won’t turn 21 until June.
During the pre-draft visit process the Steelers really didn’t bring any true running backs to Pittsburgh. The team also has stated once again throughout the offseason that their goal is to work out a long-term contract extension with current running back Le’Veon Bell.
Should the Steelers ultimately draft Guice in the first-round it will certainly set up an interesting 2018 season as they still won’t be expected to rescind Bell’s franchise tag. Drafting Guice, however, will make it even more unlikely that the Steelers will sign Bell to a long-term contract extension prior to the July 16 deadline for obvious reasons.
