2018 NFL Draft: Who could Chicago Bears trade back for in the first round?

Roquan Smith, LB (Georgia)

The debate has raged on within Chicago Bears draft circles for some time now: Tremaine Edmunds or Smith?

Edmunds has the greater physical upside by far and could very well end up being the more special player. Smith will likely come into the NFL more ready to start immediately. Plus, teams already know to slot him at an inside linebacker spot in a 3-4 or, maybe more ideally, as a weakside linebacker in a 4-3.

I wonder if Edmunds’ potential as an outside linebacker could slot him just above Smith in terms of value, which is why I had him first on this list. But some think, and deservedly so, that Smith deserves to come off the board first.

And it may very well be so.

The big question everyone wants to know: does Smith have the base physical makeup to last at inside linebacker in the NFL? I suppose we’ll find out.

Does he have the skill? Please.

Smith arguably was the best defensive player in the 2018 NFL Draft class in terms of skill level and production. And in the midst of all the star power on the field in the National Championship game in January, Smith was the best player on the field by miles.

You want speed? He can run sideline to sideline with anyone.

You want a guy who can cover? He can do that like a strong safety.

Toughness? Instincts? Upside? Smith has all that. Size is his only real knock.

And those questions could lead him to slip into the 10-15 range (no farther, though). And though I could see Edmunds possibly going before him to a team like the San Fransisco 49ers or Oakland Raiders, Smith won’t have to wait that long.

If the Bears swapped with the Dolphins or Bills, as proposed before, Smith will probably still be there, and they could have this Edmunds/Smith debate for themselves.

If Edmunds is gone, take Smith. He’ll be the best player at one of your bigger positions of need. IT just seems to make a lot of sense.