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2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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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) /

59. . Running Back. LSU. Derrius Guice. 18. player

The Dolphins elected to send top running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles at the NFL trade deadline, all but guaranteeing Miami is folding the season and retooling for 2018.

Ajayi was, perhaps, the best offensive weapon head coach Adam Gase had in his arsenal. Replacing him won’t be easy, although LSU’s Derrius Guice could be that kind of talent.

Sure, Guice has some injury concerns from earlier this year, but the 5-foot-11, 212-pound tailback has the right combination of vision, elusiveness, breakaway speed and agility NFL scouts covet and want to see thrive.

The Dolphins still have plenty of other question marks, including what to do at quarterback, as injured QB Ryan Tannehill (ACL) may no longer factor into the team’s long-term plans. Offensive line is an issue, as is the mid level of the defense.

But Guice is a game changer and would make Ajayi’s departure not hurt as bad.