Summary

Roquan Smith was selected in Round 1 (#8 Overall) in the 2018 Draft out of University of Georgia. Smith entered the league as one of the most complete linebacker prospects of his class—offering sideline‑to‑sideline speed, strong coverage ability, and a knack for making plays around the football. At Georgia, he produced 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his final season. His traits spoke to modern linebacker demands: the ability to defend the run, cover tight ends or backs, and make blitz or coverage plays. While his size was a concern for some evaluators (listed around 6′1″ / 236 lbs at draft time) his instincts, speed and production gave him a high upside as a three‑down defender that his translated into his multiple Pro Bowl/first team All Pro career.

Strengths

• Excellent instincts and play‑recognition: Smith diagnoses plays quickly, engages his keys and reacts decisively.

• Sideline‑to‑sideline speed and range: He can cover a lot of ground, chase down runners, and drop into coverage with agility.

• Versatility in cover and run: He is effective in pass coverage (both zone and man) and still plays aggressively in the run game.

• Strong tackling ability and finishing: He wraps up well, hits hard, and consistently appears around the ball.

• Leader and durable: He showed sustained production at Georgia and was viewed as a dependable leader and that has translated as a captain in Chicago and Baltimore.

Weaknesses

• Undersized for traditional linebacker mold: At ~6′1″ and mid‑230s, some evaluators worried about his ability to anchor vs power or shed blocks consistently.

• Block‑shedding and strength in heavy run situations: He can be challenged when engaging bigger blockers or in strict downhill power‑run sets.

• Occasionally needs improvement in setting the edge/anchor: When lined up wide or asked to fill a direct gap, his leverage or immediate burst may give way to heavier backs.

Fit & Outlook

Smith fits best in modern, multiple‑front defenses that require linebackers to be dynamic: someone who can cover, blitz, defend the run, and roam sideline‑to‑sideline rather than just occupy a traditional middle linebacker role. Teams that value athleticism at the second level, deploy nickel packages, and ask linebackers to cover backs or tight ends will maximize his impact. In a scheme that uses hybrid fronts, shifts between 4‑3 and nickel, and rotates responsibilities, Smith’s speed and instincts will shine. In terms of outlook, his floor is very high: as a starter who can be counted on to contribute every down, influence the defense, and remain a key piece for years. His ceiling is excellent: with continued growth in strength and block‑shed technique, he has evolved into one of the elite linebackers in the league—impacting run, pass and even blitz situations at a high level. The primary risks lie in how he is used (if asked to play a pure “big‑run” inside linebacker role without support) and how his size/strength hold up over a long career. But overall, Smith presents as a fundamental building‑block defender with long‑term generational upside.