Roquan Smith is in his first full season with the Baltimore Ravens this year, and quarterback Lamar Jackson loves what he is seeing from the linebacker.
He even tossed out a legendary comparison for Smith: Ray Lewis.
Lamar Jackson notes how Smith has helped the Ravens’ defense become more fundamentally sound and how fast Smith is to the ball, qualities that Lewis certainly possessed.
Through the first four games of 2023, Smith has already logged 43 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three passes defended.
Smith, who played his collegiate football at the University of Georgia, was originally selected by the Chicago Bears with the eighth overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.
He enjoyed a phenomenal rookie campaign, racking up 121 tackles, five sacks, an interception and five passes defended. The following year, Smith registered 101 tackles, two sacks and a pick, and in his third season, he rattled off 139 stops, 18 tackles for loss, four sacks, a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and seven passes defended.
Smith continued to improve in his fourth season with the Bears, totaling 163 tackles, three sacks, an interception and a defensive touchdown. Still, oddly enough, he was yet to make a Pro Bowl at that time.
Then, midway through last year, Chicago traded Smith to Baltimore. Between both clubs, Smith amassed 169 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three picks and six passes defended en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection.
While Roquan Smith may not be on the same level as Lewis, you can see where the comparisons come from, as Smith is all over the field for the Ravens.
Lewis himself spent all 17 years of his career in Baltimore, making 12 Pro Bowl appearances while earning First-Team All-Pro honors seven times. He is now in the Hall of Fame.
The Ravens are 3-1 and will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
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