Bears rookie linebacker Roquan Smith is among six NFL first-round picks that ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. believes will make an immediate impact this season.
The Bears selected Smith with the No. 8 pick in the draft last Thursday night. Last season he helped Georgia reach the CFP national championship game, starting all 15 games and leading the Bulldogs with 137 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 14.0 tackles-for-loss.
"Smith could be a contender to lead the NFL in tackles as a rookie," Kiper wrote. "Just look at the NFL's leading tacklers from 2017. They're all three-down middle linebackers who never have to leave the field. That's Smith, who will slot in next to Danny Trevathan to form a speedy and physical duo."
Take a look at the 13 first-round draft choices that the Bears will play during the 2018 season.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville Pick #18, Green Bay Packers At Green Bay Week 1, Soldier Field Week 15
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming Pick #7, Buffalo Bills At Buffalo Week 9
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St. Pick #2, New York Giants At New York Week 13
Sam Darnold, QB, USC Pick #3, New York Jets Soldier Field Week 8
Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, Virginia Tech Pick #16, Buffalo Bills At Buffalo Week 9
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama Pick #11, Miami Dolphins At Miami Week 6
Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida Pick #30, Minnesota Vikings Soldier Field Week 11, at Minnesota Week 17
Mike McGlnchey, OL, Notre Dame Pick #9, San Francisco 49ers At San Francisco Week 16
Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego St. Pick #27, Seattle Seahawks Soldier Field Week 2
Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas Pick #20, Detroit Lions Soldier Field Week 10, at Detroit Week 12
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA Pick #10, Arizona Cardinals At Arizona Week 3
Vita Vea, DT, Washington Pick #12, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Soldier Field Week 4
Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia Pick #23, New England Patriots Soldier Field Week 7
Last season Smith was voted first-team All-American, won the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award, both of which are presented to the country's best defensive player.
"Smith isn't a 6-foot-4, 260-pound monster like Brian Urlacher, but he's built for today's NFL," Kiper wrote. "At 6-foot, 237 pounds, he can beat blockers into the backfield in a hurry, and he can stick to tight ends and running backs in coverage. Smith has superstar potential, and the Bears' defense is ascending."
Kiper picked three offensive players and three defensive first-round picks he expects to make an immediate impact as rookies. In addition to Smith, the others are Giants running back Saquon Barkley, Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny, Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport and Chargers safety Derwin James.
