2018 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks reign supreme

October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs the ball in the first quarter against USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs the ball in the first quarter against USC Trojans linebacker Cameron Smith (35) at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
29

Cameron Smith

LB, USC

Many expect the Oakland Raiders to be in the thick of things when it comes time for Super Bowl LII, as they have a solid young roster of players. They got even better in the 2017 NFL Draft, bolstering their secondary, which was one of a few weak spots on the team. Another weak spot was at linebacker, where they should look to use their first round pick in next year’s draft.

The Raiders did draft a middle linebacker in 2017, and Marquel Lee is expected to fight for a starting spot at middle linebacker. However, it is a very thin unit, and there is no way they pass up the opportunity to bring in a player like Cameron Smith this late in round one. Smith is an incredibly talented linebacker, and with the issues in the secondary taken care of with this draft class, he would be a perfect fit for the Raiders at No. 29.

Oakland has the pieces in place to be a very good team for the next decade, and it seems like free agents are starting to get the itch to come play for the Silver and Black. In Smith, they would be getting a USC product that has been a beast every since arriving on campus, and who is a main reason why the Trojans are back atop the college football landscape. The Raiders need to continue to get better on defense, and Smith in the first round allows them to continue to do so.