Chicago Bears: 5 Players returning from injuries who need to stay healthy

3. Roquan Smith, Linebacker

Linebacker Roquan Smith is the one first-round draft pick that general manager Ryan Pace hit on. Two of his other picks, wide receiver Kevin White and linebacker Leonard Floyd, did not live up to expectations. The other first-rounder, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, also struggled, but still has a chance to change the trajectory of his career.

Despite not having a full training camp and not playing in any preseason games, Smith had a terrific rookie season in 2018. He played in all 16 games, recording 121 tackles, five sacks, five passes defended and a sack. He made the 2018 All-Rookie Team.

In 2019, he was on his way to have an even better season. He tore his pectoral muscle, however, early in the Week14 game against the Dallas Cowboys. He played in 12 games, recording 101 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended and an interception. Opposing quarterbacks’ passer rating against him dropped from 95.9 to 75.9, and their completion percentage against him dropped from 73.2 percent to 67.2 percent.

Yes, there was that mysterious missed game in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, but even though we still don’t know what happened, he seemed to get right back on track and played well.

Smith is healthy again, and if he stays that way many people feel he’ll have a breakout season. He has all the tools to be a star in the league and could be the latest in the line of great Chicago Bears linebackers.

Because of his injury and because of that mysterious absence, some experts question Smith’s ability to have that breakout season, though. Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com was harsh in his criticism of Smith, per SI.com.

"He gets washed out of running plays too often. His expected strength entering the league was in pass coverage, but he hasn’t stood out there, either, sometimes getting taken off the field… there just haven’t been the impact plays expected from a top-10 pick."

Smith hears all those critics talking about him, and he’s using them as motivation to prove them wrong.

"First and foremost, it’s just about me. I’ve got a huge chip on my shoulder. A lot of people counted me out."

A very motivated Smith is a dangerous player. If he stays healthy in 2020 he should have a big year, improving an already elite defense.