Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL player award predictions for the 2018 regular season

By Florito Maniego

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Roquan Smith of Georgia poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #8 overall by the Chicago Bears during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chicago Bears LB Roquan Smith

Selected eighth overall by the Chicago Bears, linebacker Roquan Smith is in prime position to follow up legends such as Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher.

While that may take time, Smith at least possesses the athletic abilities and football intelligence to excel and make a name for himself in the NFL. Throughout his college career, the 6-foot-1 and 236-pound linebacker has consistently proven his well-polished skills and strong pursuit.

To put it simply, Smith is a tackling machine.

During his junior year in Georgia, Smith recorded 137 total tackles, 14 of which were for a loss of yardage. In addition, he accumulated 6.5 sacks and two pass deflections during the same season.

Smith will almost certainly start in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s 3-4 Defense as an inside linebacker. Paired up with Danny Trevathan, Smith could help make up one of the top linebacker tandems in the league.

With his defensive and physical prowess, Smith will undoubtedly contend for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2018. And once he gets acclimated to Fangio’s system and fully transitions to the pros, he could be a perennial Pro Bowler for years to come.