'He's a Stud!' Ravens' Roquan Smith Best 'Off-Ball' LB in NFL?

The offseason accolades keep rolling in for Roquan Smith, who is set to enter his second season with the Baltimore Ravens.

With the acquisition of linebacker Roquan Smith, the Baltimore Ravens might've pulled off the greatest Old Line State-based steal since Juan Dixon guided the University of Maryland's men's basketball teams to a national title.

Recently labeled one of the NFL's biggest "difference-makers" by CBS Sports, Smith was named the second-best "off-ball" linebacker in a ranking compiled by "league executives, coaches, scouts, and players" on ESPN. While the title was taken by San Francisco's Fred Warner, Smith earned rave reviews from anonymous decisionmakers across the league. One unnamed coordinator, for example, labeled him "a stud" and was still in shock that the Chicago Bears let him in exchange for a second and fifth-round pick, as well as linebacker A.J. Klein.

"I can't believe (the Bears) let him out of their building," the coordinator told the Worldwide Leader's Jeremy Fowler. "He's a stud."

"He's everything a linebacker is supposed to be," another coordinator added. "(He) doesn't have a weakness. Intelligence, versatility, consistent tackler, plus athleticism."

Smith earned his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nomination upon transferring to Baltimore last Halloween. Amassing 86 tackles, three pass breakups, and an interception in nine appearances, Smith earned a five-year deal to stay in Baltimore worth $100 million. He ranked fifth on last year's ESPN off-ball list but none of the 80 voters ranked him lower than fourth this time around.

The 26-year Smith was the only AFC North representative to appear in the top 10. Tremaine Edmunds (Chicago), Matt Milano (Buffalo), and Devin White (Tampa Bay) rounded out the top five.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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