Baltimore Ravens: Trading for Roquan Smith Would Cement Status as Top Defense
By Andrew Kim
If Roquan Smith is traded, here are some potential landing spots that I think make sense for the versatile Chicago linebacker.
So far, the Roquan Smith drama with the Bear’s front office seems to be destined for a messy ending for all involved. For every week that passes, it is likely to become more and more of a distraction in the locker room. There are multiple reasons why the All-Pro linebacker hasn’t been extended by Chicago, as he’s currently on the final year of his rookie contract, and it is certainly a complex issue Chicago will have to figure out soon.
One reason could be the money that is being demanded by Smith and/or offered by the Bears. The front office is under new management with general manager Ryan Poles being tabbed to lead the way going forward. Roquan Smith is a young player still at 25 and was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite missing games due to injury on occasion, Smith is never dealt with a career-altering injury. He was taken off the PUP (or Physically Unable to Perform List) this past week and looks to be ramping up to 100% for the 2022 NFL season.
Roquan Smith is likely commanding a pay day that rivals the money that Darius Leonard and Fred Warner signed for recently. He would essentially reset the top of the linebacker market. Another reason that Smith may struggle to get that type of money is due to the position he plays. In general, linebackers, like safeties, usually aren’t valued highly on the market. The player and franchise are currently locked into a stalemate and it is unsure if the relationship can be repaired.
New head coach Matt Eberflus, the former defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, will bring in a 4-3 scheme to the Bear’s defense. Roquan Smith has only played as a middle linebacker in a 3-4 for Chicago. This means that if he were to play in a 4-3, the 6’1″, 230-pound linebacker would have to transition to the outside. While Smith has the athletic chops to survive on the outside, he hasn’t done this in his playing career, whether that be in the NFL or in college during his time at Georgia.
Like Eberflus, some schemes value lengthy linebackers but Roquan doesn’t always fit that mold for other schemes. Certain teams might not value his skill set as much, because he doesn’t check boxes elsewhere. Regardless, he should thrive in any scheme since he has high-caliber instincts and athleticism at the position. Stat-wise, Smith has an impressive resume. He has 59 career starts, combined with 524 tackles in four years with the Bears. Smith also has 43 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, 17 pass deflections, five interceptions, and a forced fumble, showing that he can be and is a potential difference-maker for any team that acquires him.
If the Ravens want to acquire a player like Roquan, they will have plenty of competition between potential suitors. Surely a number of teams would line up to pay and give up draft capital for him if the Bears grant him the right to seek a trade. Baltimore actually could afford to do so, salary cap-wise, if they really wanted to. Even with a looming, but deserving, Lamar Jackson contract on the way. Teams that make sense as landing spots for Roquan Smith — other than the Ravens — include the Cowboys, Broncos, Chargers, Dolphins, Falcons, Patriots, Seahawks, Steelers, and likely even more. Those teams all have a need at linebacker specifically and could use an established talent in the middle of their defense.
That includes the Ravens, as they are potentially one player away from being a dominant, top-five defense. Roquan Smith could be the key for Baltimore.