2018 NFL Draft: Roquan Smith could be the next star for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears could have gone several ways with the No. 8 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. They made a great call, selecting linebacker Roquan Smith.
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Fewer quarterbacks came off the board than expected, leaving only a few blue chip prospects available for the Chicago Bears at pick No. 8. Guard Quenton Nelson would have been their top choice, but the Indianapolis Colts snatched him off the board at pick No. 6. That left the Bears with a difficult decision. The pick was going to be a linebacker, but which one?
The decision came down to Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edumnds. Edmunds is extremely young has all the physical traits a team could hope for, but few linebackers change the game like Roquan Smith.
That ultimately was the determining factor for the Bears, who picked Roquan Smith with the No. 8 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
How does he fit with the Bears?
The Bears have a host of solid players, but they don’t have a stud in the middle of their defense on par with Roquan Smith. Chicago has always made defense their bread and butter. Since the departure of Brian Urlacher they’ve lacked a star linebacker. Now they have their man. Roquan Smith has star potential and incredible off the ball skills.
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Smith is a fierce run defender who has a knack for making plays in the opposing backfield. He’s the kind of piece the Bears can build around for years to come. There’s a reason why Chicago didn’t waste any time when they were put on the clock. Roquan Smith is as close to a can’t miss prospect as there is and the Bears new he’d be the perfect fit for their front seven.