The Rookie of the Year award has remained foreign to the Chicago Bears for 17 years now. Not since 2000 and 2001 when they won it in back-to-back seasons have they gotten such hot starts from draft picks. Brian Urlacher claimed the defensive honor in 2000 and Anthony Thomas followed up on offense a year later. It was a sign that the franchise was pointed in the right direction after years of disappointment. Could Roquan Smith provide that same spark?
There is plenty of optimism to think so. One could argue the Bears haven’t drafted as polished a college prospect as Smith in years. He’s athletic and talented but also highly experienced. Everything from the measurables to the game tape came through with flying colors. Typically prospects like this have success immediately at the NFL level.
Several experts have already come forward stating their belief this would happen. Former GM Charlie Casserly stated as much right after he was drafted. Top expert and former player Matt Bowen of ESPN did the same not long after. Now Pro Football Focus with their unique perspective chimed in. They made a top five rankings of defensive names they feel will compete for Rookie of the Year.
Guess where the Bears top pick landed?
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Roquan Smith claims #1 among Rookie of the Year favorites
“Roquan Smith was one of the best prospects in this draft, coming in at No. 7 on our final Big Board, and most importantly his skill set makes him the perfect linebacker for today’s league. Smith’s coverage skills are elite when it comes to college prospects and he has the ability to make plays in coverage that few NFL linebackers can.
Crucially, he also has the range and instincts to make stops all over the field even if he isn’t a 250-pound player. He had the second most defensive stops (74) in all of college football last season and saw his PFF grade get better each season of his college career.
In Chicago’s defense, Smith should have the freedom to impact all areas of the field and the coverage skills to make plays in front of a much-improved secondary. If the big plays fall the right way he could make a big case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.”
Expectations are sky high for Smith and he doesn’t seem the least bit phased by them. The Bears aren’t giving him the starting job, wanting him to earn it like everybody else. Still, it doesn’t seem like anybody will stop him. He’s such a natural fit for the scheme under Vic Fangio, who has a long history of producing excellent inside linebackers. Smith no doubt hopes to join that legacy, not to mention the glowing one in Chicago.
