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NFL Draft Grades 2018: Chicago Bears select Roquan Smith at No. 8

By Dan Schmelzer

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) /
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Grading the Chicago Bears selection of Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith with the No. 8 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

With the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears found a real difference maker on the defensive side of the ball in Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith. The Bears had an obvious need at the inside linebacker position and filled it with an absolute bullet by taking one of the best defensive prospects in this draft class.

With elite speed and athleticism at the linebacker position, Smith is an ideal fit for the modern game. He moves extremely well in space, showing the ability to defend against the run from sideline-to-sideline. He is a smooth athlete who covers a lot of ground and shows impressive natural ability in pass coverage.

His speed and quickness are legit, but do not discount Smith’s ability to bang inside. He is an extremely physical player who is not afraid to come down in the box and make a big hit on the ball carrier.

Adding Smith to the Bears defense will immediately take them to the next level. He is a true centerpiece in the middle of the defense who will shine both against the run and the pass. Smith’s mix of skills are awfully impressive, as he even shows a ton of natural ability as a pass rusher.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did wonders with Patrick Willis as his primary inside linebacker back in the day with the San Francisco 49ers. Sticking Smith in the middle of the Bears defense reminds me a lot of that. With big-time speed and athleticism, Willis was an elite inside linebacker for the 49ers for many years. I expect Fangio to get similar production out of Smith in Chicago.

Next: Grading every pick of the 2018 NFL Draft

When it comes down to it, I think the Chicago Bears hit an absolute home run with this selection. I wouldn’t have hated to see them trade down if that option were available. However, they took the best player available when they went on the clock. Fantastic work by Ryan Pace and company here.

Chicago Bears Draft Grade: A

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