#1 – Georgia LB Roquan Smith
No surprise here, Smith takes the top spot. The Bulldogs 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker is expected to be a sure-fire first-round pick, and displayed in the College Football Playoff why he is the best linebacker in the nation.
Smith has drawn comparisons with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones, according to Campbell.
Both Kiper and Miller have Georgia’s linebacker going to the Oakland Raiders in the first-round of their respective mock drafts. He recorded 137 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in his junior season.
Smith is also arguably the most well-rounded prospect at the linebacker position in this year’s draft class. Pro Football Focus graded him the fourth highest linebacker in the nation in 2017 and the second best linebacker in pass coverage. Smith missed just 15 of his 238 tackle attempts during his collegiate career in Athens.
The G-Men are highly unlikely to take a linebacker with the No. 2 overall pick, but that doesn’t change the fact that Smith is the best linebacker in this year’s draft class.