NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock held a conference call with the national media on the eve of the scouting combine on Monday.

“I love Roquan Smith,” Mayock said. “I think he’s today’s NFL off-the-ball linebacker and it’s mostly about speed. He’s 225 pounds. Deion Jones was drafted in the second round by Atlanta a few years back. He’s the prototype. I think Roquan Smith takes it a step farther. A very similar type guy. I love the way he plays.

“I didn’t even know who he was. The first tape that I put, I think it was Notre Dame-Georgia. He just jumped off the tape. I just got excited and said ‘who is this guy.’”

Here’s a tweetcap of some of his observations: