2018 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay joins the Roquan Smith to Raiders parade in his mock 3.0

In his first two mock drafts, Todd McShay had the Raiders first going with their second Ohio State cornerback as their top pick in consecutive drafts with Denzel Ward and then going with versatile linebacker Tremaine Edmunds out of Virginia Tech in his mock 2.0. But just like so many others have of late, he has settled on Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith as their pick.

Oakland has needs all over on defense (CB, LB, edge rusher) and not enough available cap room to make huge upgrades in free agency. Smith would be a good building block for the Raiders’ defense, as a rangy weakside linebacker with fast eyes and terrific closing speed. He’s also a great leader and possesses tremendous football character.

In this mock draft, McShay has Ward to the Bears and Edmunds to the 49ers in the two picks before the Raiders, so who knows if he thinks the Raiders would pick one of them had they been on the board.

With free agency a week from today and NaVorro Bowman appearing to be headed to the open market, it makes sense why more and more mock drafts have locked onto Smith as the pick. Though McShay has him as a weakside linebacker and should the Raiders go that route, he would likely be playing middle linebacker.