Roquan Smith earns respectable (but lower than deserved) placement in a PFF LB ranking

USA Today

28-05-2025

Roquan Smith earns respectable (but lower than deserved) placement in a PFF LB ranking
The Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears don't play very often. In fact, since 1998, it has only happened seven times. Given the unbalanced nature of an NFL schedule, their paths are only scheduled to cross once every seven years.
That doesn't mean that Baltimore hasn't occasionally peeked over into the NFC to see if any baby monsters are growing in the midway. In 2022, they found one, and at the trade deadline, they shipped A.J. Klein, a 2023 second-round selection, and a 2023 fifth-round pick to the Windy City to land him. The prize was Roquan Smith, and after a little over two and a half seasons, we can safely state that decision worked out pretty well for them.
He's landed on the Pro Bowl roster after the 2022, 2023, and 2024 regular seasons, and he's seemingly on his way to Canton, Ohio, when his playing days are done. In the meantime, he has plenty of good football left in him, and no one would argue against that.
Roquan Smith is ranked too low in a recent PFF linebacker ranking.
Who doesn't love Pro Football Focus? If someone says they don't, they're probably fibbing. Do they confuse us? Oh, they do, but even if they sometimes frustrate the viewing public, they're always great for a conversation or two.
The zany stat engine... More numbers than anyone could ever commit to memory... The daily content... With the NFL season fast approaching, they've been on the money. They've been stacking the top 32 players at every position. Recently, the spotlight fell on the linebackers.
Roquan Smith landed in the top four, and successful arguments can be made that he still isn't ranked high enough. First, let's discuss the explanation.
"On the surface, Smith's 66.8 PFF overall grade in 2024 would seem like a drop that would push him further down this list, but the personnel around him was a contributing factor. After Kyle Hamilton's move back to safety in Week 11, Smith returned to form. His 81.8 PFF coverage grade from that point on ranked fourth at the position — much closer to his usual level of play. A full season with that structure will have Smith right back in the elite conversation."
Okay, though there isn't much there that would constitute error, it's hard not to look at who ranks ahead of him. Fred Warner grabbed the top spot. No one would argue with that, but Smith was slotted behind Zack Baun and Bobby Wagner. Again, those are two worthy players deserving of a top-five ranking.
But, hold on a second. Say what you will about scheme and numbers, let's rely on the eyeball test for a second. Wagner has been an ageless wonder and is still an elite run defender. His coverage skills have slipped some. Baun had a phenomenal season in 2024, but that's a small sample size. The First-Team All-Pro ranking was valid, but more evidence is needed that he's one of the top two players at his position.
In addition to Smith's three consecutive Pro Bowl nods, he's been named a First-Team All-Pro in each of the past three NFL seasons. You have to love the consistency. You have to love the motor, and at 28, Roquan can play at an elite level for several more seasons.
Roquan's off-year, as PFF sees it, was one that most professional linebackers would pay money to boast about, so here's a statement that shares what PFF should have. While a top-five ranking is respectable, it doesn't do enough to encapsulate Smith's brilliance last season. Hopefully, this fuels a revenge tour of sorts, and Roquan is in the top spot at this time following calendar year.