The Chicago Bears picked eighth overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Roquan Smith, from Georgia, proved himself as a top-tier interior linebacker from the start. After a successful early period with Chicago, contract talks stalled before 2022. Sensing his wish for a new beginning, the Bears traded Smith to Baltimore halfway through the 2022 season—an move that instantly changed the makeup of the Ravens' front seven.

Smith exemplifies the modern ideal inside Linebacker, blending instincts with quickness to penetrate gaps against the run and drop into passing lanes to cover tight ends and running backs. His standout qualities are his field vision and leadership; as the green-dot play-caller, he anticipates opponents’ pre-snap schemes, coordinates teammates, and adds a fierce physical presence in the middle of the field.

Arriving in Baltimore halfway through 2022, Smith quickly made a significant impact by turning an inconsistent defense into one of the league's top fearsome units. In nine games with the Ravens, he recorded 86 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and an interception, finishing the season with 169 tackles. This performance earned him his first First-Team All-Pro honor and a spot in the Pro Bowl.

In 2023, Smith elevated his performance during his first full season in Baltimore. As a key player in a defense that achieved a historic "triple crown'—leading the NFL in points allowed, sacks, and takeaways—Smith amassed 158 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. His standout play earned him back-to-back First-Team All-Pro selections, a Pro Bowl invite, and strong consideration for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Smith sustained that elite standard throughout 2024, once again crossing the 150-tackle mark to anchor Baltimore's defense. He earned his third straight First-Team All-Pro selection and his third consecutive Pro Bowl trip, proving to be one of the most consistent middle linebackers in football.

In 2025, Smith continued to serve as the heartbeat of Baltimore's front seven. Racking up 130 total tackles (76 solo) and a fumble recovery across 15 games, he led a late-season defensive resurgence that suffocated divisional opponents. For his efforts, he was named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, becoming the only player in franchise history to earn Pro Bowl honors in each of his first four seasons in Baltimore.

Heading into the 2026 season, Smith's stint in Baltimore already stands as one of the most dominant stretch runs by a linebacker in franchise history. Across his four seasons in Baltimore (2022–2025), he has compiled 515 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 First-Team All-Pro selections, and 4 Pro Bowls.