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San Francisco 49ers: 5 First-round targets in 2018 NFL Draft

By Nicholas McGee

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Henry Ruggs
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Henry Ruggs /
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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) /

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Though there has been a twist in the Reuben Foster story with his domestic violence accuser recanting her allegations, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, his status going forward remains unclear. And even if the 49ers were definitely sure of Foster being on the field in 2018, there is a strong chance they would still covet Smith, who is a perfect fit at the linebacker position in Robert Saleh’s defense.

Smith is slight and athletic, boasting frightening closing speed in downhill and sideline to sideline pursuit, and can pick his way through traffic with ease thanks to his lateral movement and change-of-direction ability.

Extremely instinctual, rarely biting on fakes or overpursuing, Smith can stick with all of the skill-position players in coverage and make athletic plays on the ball and has proven himself to be an impact player in the backfield, recording 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2017.

Some may doubt the merits of taking a linebacker with back-to-back first-round picks, but Smith is a player who would instantly make the front seven better and potentially form a dominant duo with Foster.