2018 NFL Mock Draft: Josh Allen goes to the Jets

By Brad Weiss | Jan 24, 2018

LARAMIE, WY - DECEMBER 03: Josh Allen (17) of the Wyoming Cowboys passes against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half of San Diego State's 27-24 win on Saturday, December 3, 2016. The Wyoming Cowboys hosted the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West championship game. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

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NFL Draft Prospects in the National Championship Game

PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to avoid a sack by linebacker Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Roquan Smith. 10. player. 28. . Linebacker. Georgia

The Oakland Raiders were supposed to be one of the best teams in the AFC this season, and many believed they would still be playing right now. However, the team took a major step backwards this past season, and head coach Jack Del Rio ended up losing his job. The Raiders made a huge signing this offseason by bringing back former head coach Jon Gruden, who should be the perfect remedy for starting quarterback Derek Carr’s struggles in 2017.

Oakland struggled on both sides of the ball this past season, but Gruden should be able to fix the problems on offense. Their defense is another story, as the team was weak at linebacker, and in the secondary once again. Last year, the Raiders spent a first round pick on a cornerback, and in 2018, they should look to bolster the linebacking corps.

The best linebacker in the 2018 NFL Draft class is Roquan Smith, who has been an absolute beast during his time at Georgia. He helped lead the Bulldogs to the national title game, and brings the kind of intensity to the game that Raiders fans love. If Oakland is better on defense next season, they should be able to challenge in the AFC West, and Smith is the kind of winning linebacker this team has been lacking for a while.

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