The Chicago Bears could have drafted Minkah Fitzpatrick (2018)
For this next star, we look to the first round of the same draft. I'm not going to say that Roquan Smith was a poor draft pick. He is a top-five linebacker in the NFL. The problem is, he's an off-the-ball linebacker and that position is the running back of the defense -- replaceable.
The Chicago Bears had Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos at safety. Jackson had an elite season in 2018, leading to a Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro performance. He finished the year with six interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three defensive touchdowns. This was after a solid 2017 season when he scored another two defensive touchdowns. Taking another safety in 2018 probably seemed crazy and this is why Pace with Roquan Smith over Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Here's the thing. Adrian Amos did not last long in Chicago, He was out the door after the 2018 season when he jumped ship as a traitor to the Green Bay Packers. Teams should always look to draft the best player available. This means that position should have little influence on the pick. I'm not certain that Eddie Jackson and Minkah Fitzpatrick could coexist, but what I do know is that Fitzpatrick is another star in the league. Having both Jackson and Fitzpatrick could have been a deadly duo.
Fitzpatrick has played for both the Dolphins and the Steelers. Miami drafted him 11 overall and Pittsburgh traded for him just one year later. Fitzpatrick has been voted First-Team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl three times in his six-year career. He has outperformed Roquan Smith with his 19 career interceptions, four career forced fumbles, five career fumble recoveries and five career defensive touchdowns. Give me that over an off-the-ball linebacker -- even if he's a top-five talent.