Roquan Smith was met with almost universal praise from draft experts when the Chicago Bears chose him 8th overall. He was the undisputed leader of one of the best defenses in college football. Highly productive, he consistently won with a mix of speed, instinct, and intelligence to where offenses couldn’t escape him. As polished a defensive prospect as there was in the draft. Yet that’s what everybody else thinks. What did the Bears think?
This is what so many people want to know. What was the thought process of their top brass in making him the pick? GM Ryan Pace revealed that a large portion of the scouting department, including right-hand man Mark Sadowski, were smitten with Smith from the early part of last season. How did that reflect in their overall report?
Under the John Fox administration, such knowledge would’ve remained under careful lock and key. It seems since his departure though that the Bears have become a bit more transparent. Chairman George McCaskey proved that when he read from the actual scouting report provided by Pace to Dan Pompei of The Athletic.
Roquan Smith was a true Bears linebacker in eyes of brass
Last year Pace revealed that what he wants when it comes to a draft choice is a consensus from his people. That means the front office and coaches. That’s what led him to select Mitch Trubisky last year. He said they got the same on Smith, and the report filed to McCaskey was rather revealing of this.
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“I love the temperament and physicality he plays with,” McCaskey said, quoting the report. “Overall this guy he has the physical ability and football makeup. Love everything about him. Complete player. Powerful. Makes plays all over the field. Relentless to the ball. Agile slipping through blocks or weaving through traffic. Plays the game with urgency and toughness. Has a nose for the ball.”
Then McCaskey said, “All of those traits, as Ryan would say, are things we look for in a Chicago Bears linebacker, so we are excited to see him in the navy and orange.”
Smith racked up 137 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2017 for Georgia. He was the driving force behind their push to the national championship game. On a team loaded with talent, he was their best player and their leader. Having somebody like that in the middle of a defense is so invaluable. Chicago knows this well, having enjoyed the greatest legacy of middle linebackers in NFL history.
Smith doesn’t seem phased by this. He doesn’t fear the history. He embraces it. This job isn’t too big for him. Perhaps that’s his greatest strength, more than anything.
