Riggo's Rag
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Redskins: 5 best draft prospects to target with first round pick

By Jacob Camenker

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: Da'Ron Payne #94 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates with the defensive player of the game trophy after the AllState Sugar Bowl against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a catch during the first quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Josh Jacobs #8 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a catch during the first quarter in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Inside linebacker has the potential to be a major need for the Redskins. It also could end up being a position that the team doesn’t need at all. At this point in the offseason, it’s tough to tell what will happen.

One thing that is certain? If the Redskins need a linebacker in the draft, Roquan Smith will pique their interest. The Georgia linebacker was a big part of why the team was able to do so well in the College Football Playoff, and he had a very strong performance in both postseason contests.

Our own Ian Cummings said the following of Smith’s performance during the 2017 college football season, after Smith declared for the draft.

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"Smith made waves in his junior season with the Georgia Bulldogs. In fifteen games, the 6-foot-1, 225 pound linebacker logged 137 tackles, 14.0 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He made an impact in the National Championship game, as well as throughout the season, using his rare combination of speed, strength, and athleticism to give his team an advantage."

It’s also worth mentioning that Smith has elite instincts and should be able to succeed right away because of those. The top middle linebackers in the league, Luke Kuechley and Bobby Wagner, both use their instincts to make themselves better players.

The only scenario in which Smith would likely be a Redskin would be if Zach Brown doesn’t re-sign. With Mason Foster already inked to an extension, the team wouldn’t bring in Smith unless he was overwhelmingly the best player available. So, keeping an eye on the Brown situation will be critical for those aboard the Roquan Smith bandwagon.

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