1st rd - Bears pick Roquan Smith

This is a pick Pace needed to make count with sure thing zero chance of failure guy.  With Nelson and Chubb gone that meant it came down to Smith, Fitz and probably Vea depending on what fit at what position Pace and Nagy preferred.

8. Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia


Strengths: Everything associated with being an in-space linebacker.

Weaknesses: He’s an in-space linebacker.

The Bears draft a linebacker, and suddenly all feels right in the world.

Roquan Smith wins this year’s Most Distracting Prospect Award, given to the player who upstages other players on their own tape cut-ups. Try to focus on some SEC offensive prospect so you can break his game down, and whammo! There’s Smith blitzing like a missile, or breaking up a pass in the middle of the field, or evading blockers and meeting the running back at the line of scrimmage on 3rd-and-short. He steals the scene from the star every time he shows up. He’s like all of the characters except Black Panther in Black Panther.

Smith is also one of the safest selections in this draft. Calling a selection "safe" is almost a backhanded compliment, because teams are supposed to be bold and daring and find players with a five percent chance of becoming Lawrence Taylor instead of just getting the experienced, productive, obvious choice. Smith is almost guaranteed to become a productive starter, probably as a rookie, and will probably develop into a perennial Pro Bowler.

Of course, Smith plays a position where talent is plentiful and the difference between an All-Pro and a serviceable starter doesn’t have that much impact on the win-loss column. But overthinking the economics of the draft is a great way to leave gaping holes in the middle of your depth chart. Chicago just got a three-down linebacker with big-play capability who should be a high-level starter for the next decade. Look for Smith to soon start upstaging some of the guys drafted ahead of him on their own highlight reels. This is a fine selection for the sleeper team that no one is talking about.

Grade: A

I do like the picks Alex.  Each fits a need and all were uber productive college players in major programs.

Smith is easily a plug and play "Jack" ILB who can replace Freeman.  We missed him last year and Smith is a better version of that type of ILB.

Daniels can play OG or OC and while he may need to add some weight and functional strength to play LG he's a quality pick.  Ragnow was my pick for an OG/OC once Nelson was gone but he went #20.  Daniels is right behind him IMHO.

Miller is a guy who I think will surprise the doubters.  He's a tough nut who knows how to get open and score points.  I see a Marty Booker type with more speed and great hands.  Perfect #2 and Slot type WR.