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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Saquon Barkley crashing QB party

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittney Lions carries the ball against the USC Trojans in the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittney Lions carries the ball against the USC Trojans in the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC (35) Cameron Smith (ILB) directs the band after a college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the USC Trojans on September 9, 2017, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: USC (35) Cameron Smith (ILB) directs the band after a college football game between the Stanford Cardinal and the USC Trojans on September 9, 2017, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Cameron Smith

Linebacker, USC

The Oakland Raiders took on the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 action, and they came away with a solid road victory. Both teams should be headed to the playoffs this season, so winning on Sunday could end up deciding a Wildcard spot down the road if neither team wins their division. On offense, the Raiders are going to be tough to stop, but they still need help on defense.

While the secondary has struggled in recent years, it is far from the only weakness this team has on defense. The middle linebacker position has been a need for some time, and they should look to bring one in via the draft. They have spent first round picks on defensive backs the last two drafts, so bringing in a guy like Cameron Smith from USC could be the play this late in round one.

Smith is the kind of guy who can over sideline to sideline, but also bring the intensity to be a solid player against the run. He has the kind of leadership quality you look for in a middle linebacker, and would team with guys like Khalil Mack and Gareon Conley to give the Raiders a nice, young core on defense. This Raiders team is going to be very good this season, but they may be a piece or two away from winning a Super Bowl.

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