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Los Angeles Chargers: 5 First-round targets in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Derek Snyder

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Melvin Gordon (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Melvin Gordon (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to avoid a sack by linebacker Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to avoid a sack by linebacker Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

I am truly amazed that a player like Roquan Smith could fall into the second half of the 2018 NFL Draft, but they could definitely benefit the Chargers greatly. Los Angeles’ defense played solid in 2017, but they lacked the ability to stop opposing team’s from running the football at will. By drafting Smith, the Bolts would be getting a great linebacker who would help keep players like the Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt in check.

This is your warning now, if you didn’t get to see Smith play against the Oklahoma Sooners last weekend in the College Football Playoff semifinals, he’ll be suiting up against Alabama in the 2017-2018 National Championship. Needless to say, I expect him to excel against the run and help the Bulldogs to a title.

Take a look at some of Smith’s stats from 2017, according to Sports-Reference:

  • 124 total tackles
  • 11.5 tackles-for-loss
  • 5.5 sacks
  • 2 fumble recoveries

This has been a guy who has improved each and every year he’s been at Georgia, but still has a long way to go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he isn’t a great football player, I just believe he could become a perennial Pro Bowl player in the NFL.

Need I say more Chargers fans?

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