Georgia football: Roquan Smith drafted in the first round by Chicago

The 2018 NFL Draft is expected to feature several Georgia football players. The first Bulldog drafted was inside linebacker Roquan Smith.

We’d knew Roquan Smith would go in the first round, most likely in the top-10. It was just a matter of who would chose him first. The Chicago Bears were that franchise with the eighth overall pick. The pick makes a lot of sense for the Bears who have always featured great linebackers.

Dick Butkus and Brian Urlacher are the first two that come to mind. Smith has the talent, skill and work ethic to be the next great inside backer for Chicago. It’s also fitting that Smith won the Dick Butkus Award this past year.

The Bears are also have a reputation for fielding great defenses overall. But lately, those defenses haven’t lived up to Chicago’s standards. Smith gives them an instant boost. He’s a vocal leader and the ideal center piece for any style of defense. His presence alone can boost their franchise.

Smith is the second Georgia football defensive star Chicago has drafted in the last three years. In 2016 the Bears picked Leonard Floyd to enhance their pass rush. He has 11.5 sacks and 67 total tackles in two seasons.

The Bears will need more than Smith though. They finished last in the NFC North last season and 15th in the NFC. Chicago might have completed their defense though. They took strides in 2017, but six of their 11 losses were by one score and two losses were by two scores.

Next: Do not mistake Sony Michel for a backup

The offense is what Chicago should address next. Not to sound like a homer, but I can definitely see them picking any one of the three Georgia stars on offense. Sony Michel adds a dynamic threat. Nick Chubb is the bruiser that Chicago fans love. And Javon Wims gives Mitch Trubisky a target he doesn’t need accuracy to complete passes with.