‘Dawg Gone: Roquan Smith is a Chicago Bear

As expected Roquan Smith was the first Georgia Bulldog off the draft board this evening when he was selected No. 8 overall by the Chicago Bears.

Smith doesn’t possess the most eye-popping measureables at 6’1 and 237 pounds. What he does have is the ability to range sideline-to-sideline and bring ball carriers down in their tracks. If you’re looking for guys who can change light bulbs without a ladder, Smith isn’t your guy. If you’re looking for a guy with a demonstrated football IQ, legendary work ethic, and the potential to both cover in space or stop the run between the tackles, that’s Roquan.

One of the things that probably helped Smith’s stock in the end was that Georgia’s multiple front, nouveau-Belichick defense showcased him playing a variety of roles in a variety of alignments. You don’t draft a defensive guy this high without the belief that he can see the field in multiple packages. Smith fits that bill to a tee.

Roquan also has a reputation as a field general and locker room leader, a guy who’s as vocal as he needs to be.

Smith led the SEC last season in tackles with 137, and was a huge key in Georgia going 13-2 with a National Championship appearance.

He’s already making friends from the Windy City.