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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Saquon Barkley

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after making a 7-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith (LB35) runs in the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith (LB35) runs in the 40 yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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

Instead of adding players this offseason, the Oakland Raiders have begun the process of stripping their roster, as they try to fit their players under the salary cap. Guys like cornerback Sean Smith and right tackle Marshall Newhouse are both gone, leaving the team with some glaring holes at that position. In addition, NaVorro Bowman, their star linebacker is an unrestricted free agent, so they may need to find his replacement via the draft.

If the Raiders do decide to pick a linebacker with the tenth overall pick, they should look to Georgia’s Roquan Smith. Many experts rate Smith as the best overall linebacker in this draft class, and he fills an immediate role in the middle of new defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s system. His scheme is based on having strong, smart middle linebackers, and Smith fits that description perfectly.

Smith led his Bulldogs to a national title appearance last season, as he carried them through the SEC title game, and the College Football Playoff semifinal round. He seems to play his best football in the biggest spots, which is something you cannot teach. The Raiders have a hole in the middle of their defense, especially if Bowman does not return, so this pick makes a lot of sense to round out the top ten picks in April.

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