With The First Pick
Fansided

2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final evaluations before the Scouting Combine

By Maxwell Ogden

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 17: Quenton Nelson #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 10-yard touchdown reception by Corey Robinson against the USC Trojans in the fourth quarter of the game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 17, 2015 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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player. 50. . Linebacker. Georgia Bulldogs. Roquan Smith. 20

Marcus Davenport would’ve been ideal for the Detroit Lions, but instead, the team fills the void at linebacker. It does so with a player who could potentially develop into a Pro Bowl level player in Georgia Bulldogs star Roquan Smith.

The Lions have other voids worth considering at this stage of the NFL Draft, but the opportunity to find a premier linebacker is one that shouldn’t be passed on.

Smith is somewhat undersized, but he plays bigger than he is. He’s an explosive athlete who knows how to slip blocks, get after ball-carriers, and even apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks from the linebacker position.

That much was proven in 2017, when he recorded 137 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks, as well as a fumble forced and two fumbles recovered.

Beyond the numbers, Detroit needs to get faster on defense in order to round the corner in this era. Smith would enable it to do so, as he can be a thumping tackler and versatile pass-rusher who has compelling potential in coverage.

By pairing Smith with Tahir Whitehead, the Lions would have an opportunity to build a high-quality linebacker corps overnight.

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