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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Jets, 49ers get their franchise quarterbacks

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the Hawaii Warriors at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the Hawaii Warriors at the Rose Bowl on September 9, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/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

A year after winning 12 games, and returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, the Oakland Raiders are off to a fast start in 2017. The offense was going to be loaded, but the defense has been surprisingly slid through the first two games. A week after limiting the Tennessee Titans offense to one touchdown, the Raiders blew out the New York Jets, and head into Week 3 sitting at 2-0.

Though the defense has been solid this season, they still need to continue to bring in players on that side of the ball. The middle linebacker position has been a bit of a bugaboo in recent years, and drafting that position would be a smart way to go in April. Cameron Smith of USC is one of the best middle linebackers in college football, and would be a perfect fit in the Raiders defensive scheme.

There is no telling where this season will finish up for Oakland, as quarterback Derek Carr is off to a possible MVP season once again. The offense is a juggernaut, and by the looks of it, they could certainly be drafting this late in round one next year. Look for them to shore up the defense in the first round, as they have bolstered their secondary in the previous two drafts with their top picks.

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