To cap their rebuild and begin putting the finishing touches on their defense, the Bears drafted defensive stalwart Roquan Smith with their first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The 2017 Butkus Award Winner - appropriately awarded to the nation’s best linebacker - is someone that appropriately fits with Chicago’s transcendent tradition at the position. He’s someone that general manager Ryan Pace and company have continually insisted was at the top of their draft board priorities for a reason.
As rookie minicamp opens this weekend, the born leader in Smith will naturally lead a group of fresh faces into Halas Hall as they take in their first NFL experience.