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2018 NFL Draft: Roquan Smith, Baker Mayfield, others stand out

By Sayre Bedinger

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 02: Roquan Smith /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away from Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Rodney Anderson #24 of the Oklahoma Sooners breaks away from Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia

Oklahoma Sooners players are going to be having nightmares about Roquan Smith for months.

The Rose Bowl defensive player of the game was all over the field in this one, making one big play after another.

One area of concern translating to the next level for Smith is his listed size, which is 230 pounds or less depending on which publication or roster you’re reading. Many feel like that size and frame won’t hold up at the next level long-term, as the ideal playing weight for an NFL off-ball linebacker is at least 240 pounds.

I didn’t see any reason to think his size was a detriment in this game.

What sets Smith apart as a prospect and makes him so special is his elite level speed, and he showed that off in this game along with elite instincts, and fearlessness.

He finished with 11 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and a number of huge plays on third down for the Bulldogs, specifically in the second half.

Smith is the best off-ball linebacker prospect I’ve seen since Luke Kuechly. Last year, Rueben Foster was really close as well, showing he can make plays all over the field and play both the run and pass well. He fell in the draft due to long-term health concerns, but had a whale of a rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers.

I think Smith is going to be a top 10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, and some team is going to have a player that will terrorize teams with his speed and instincts all game long. This kid is a stud.

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