Chicago Bears: 7-Round 2018 mock draft after free agency
Ideally, an elite-level edge rusher would be available when the Chicago Bears go on the clock with the eighth overall pick. However, with Bradley Chubb off the board in this mock draft, there simply is not an edge rusher available who is worth taking.
Chubb falling to number eight would be the best case scenario, but that simply is not happening. With elite offensive guard prospect Quenton Nelson also off the board, the choice of Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith is relatively simple.
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The Bears’ current inside linebacker duo of Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski is decent, but there is certainly room for improvement there, especially in the long-term. The Bears simply cannot count on Trevathan to stay healthy for an entire season if they expect to compete, and if Chicago snags Smith, they won’t have to.
Smith is an explosive athlete at the linebacker position who showcases incredible natural speed and quickness at the position. He is an ideal linebacker in today’s fast-paced game, showing the ability to defend from sideline-to-sideline.
The Georgia product is an elite-level run defender who can range the field making plays and also step up and fight on the inside. His coverage skills are also awfully impressive, as Smith shows the ability to consistently defend big, fast and athletic players in man coverage.
Simply put, Roquan Smith is an elite linebacker prospect who has massive upside at the next level. He could come in and immediately be a true playmaker for the Chicago Bears on the defensive side of the ball and a true talent for them to build around for the long-term.