2018 NFL Draft: Alabama vs. Georgia has many top prospects

Georgia Defense

Roquan Smith, LB (no. 3)

The Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker is one of the fastest, most instinctive defensive players you’ll see at the college level.

The last player that was this good instinctually, playing sideline to sideline, was probably Luke Kuechly at Boston College. Alabama fans could argue that Rueben Foster was the same way, but I don’t know if I would put him athletically on the same level as Smith.

Smith has the closing speed of a defensive back, can cover as well as he can make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

This is an all-around star who will be an instant-hit at the next level.

Lorenzo Carter, EDGE (no. 7)

Carter has fairly pedestrian numbers over the past three seasons, but he has size and length (6-foot-6, 245 pounds) and just came up with arguably the biggest single play of the season for the Bulldogs, a blocked kick in double-overtime against Oklahoma.

Carter may be more of a middle round value player with athleticism and upside versus a day one or two pick that can come in and make an instant, every-down impact.