Roquan Smith 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Strengths, Weaknesses and Player Comparison

Georgia Bulldogs LB Roquan Smith is an elite college LB who has the ability to stop the run and cover TEs out of the backfield at a high level right out of the NFL draft. He has the best sideline-to-sideline speed of any LB to come out this year and brings an on-field leadership ability with it. He’s athletic, hard-hitting, patient, and a perfect fit for any defense looking to get faster and more physical. He is forgoing his senior season to enter the draft and won’t turn 21 until the end of May. Expect him to get selected in the top 15 with his top suitors being the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, or Cincinnati Bengals.

Roquan Smith had an incredible junior season, becoming the first Georgia Bulldog to ever win the Butkus award for best LB in college football. He racked up 85 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks along with being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He was the only defensive player in the country to receive Heisman Trophy votes this year and even received 3 first place votes. His best game of the season came in the SEC Championship game against Auburn where he collected 10 solo tackles along with a sack and was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game. NFL Draft analyst Harris Rubenstein breaks down Roquan Smith in this scouting report and player profile.

The details of Barkley’s scouting report, featuring strengths, weaknesses, player comparison and projections are detailed below.

Strengths:
- Best sideline-sideline speed of any LB in the draft
- Doesn’t miss tackles
- Big Hitters
- High football IQ
- Can cover RBs out of the backfield
- Plug and Play day 1 starter

Weaknesses:
- Undersized
- Struggles to cover TEs
- Bites on play action too much
- Doesn’t shed blocks well
- Easily blocked on blitzes
- Bites on play action too much

Player Comparison: Lavonte David (LB, Buccaneers)

NFL Draft Grade: Top 15 Pick (#1 LB)

Projected Round: 1st

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