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Georgia Rookies Fit, Concerns and Predictions: Defense

By Savannah McCoy

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Lorenzo Carter #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates after blocking the field goal attempt from Austin Seibert #43 of the Oklahoma Sooners 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Roquan Smith

Draft: Round 1- Pick 8

Team: Chicago Bears

Fit:

Roquan Smith is one bad man. Ask his former coaches at Georgia. Or any of the offenses he thwarted.

Smith was Georgia’s defensive leader. He made the adjustments in the middle of the field, both his own and the teams. A high motor and excellent tackling skills earned him fans’ and teammates’ adoration.

Smith belonged in the top 10 picks of the NFL draft and should fit in well with a Chicago defense that’s been on the hunt for a new leader since Brian Urlacher retired. He should be starting day one alongside Danny Trevathan and fellow Georgia alum Leonard Floyd.

As a middle linebacker, he won’t be asked to pass rush often. That won’t keep Smith from finding his way to the ball. The man has an instinct for being where the ball is going, whether it’s wrapping up a running back in the backfield or tipping away a lob to a tight end in the middle of the field.

Concerns:

The one knock you can name for Smith is his size–barely. At 6’1, 236 pounds he’s slightly undersized. Bigger offensive linemen, running backs and tight ends could potentially push him around and keep him away from the ball easier than an average sized linebacker.

For Smith, these fears are exaggerated. Guys of similar size have found ample success in the pros. Deion Jones turned into a star in Atlanta. Bobby Wagner is a perennial all-star. Sean Lee, when healthy, turns heads with his play for the Cowboys.

As a whole, NFL linebackers trend smaller now. Speed matters more than knocking out a player. With his instincts, Smith can do both.

Prediction:

Pairing him in the 3-4 defense beside Trevathan will speed up Smith’s learning process. Already an intelligent player, he doesn’t necessarily face the pressures of being in charge of the defensive schemes and audibles out of the gate. At the same time, he’ll have ample playing time and experience before his sophomore season.

Team success in Chicago will depend on the secondary play and their offensive improvements. The defense will see immediate improvement in the middle of the field with Smith. Expect more athletic play and for Smith to be in play for defensive rookie of the year.

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