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Former NFL defensive end Justin Smith was the No. 4 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals 18 years ago. The five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro spent his final seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and remains a fan favorite.
With the 2019 NFL Draft just hours away, Smith joined 95.7 The Game on Thursday and shared what he would do if he were in his former team's shoes.
"I would take (Ohio State defensive end Nick) Bosa," Smith said. "You've already got a capable guy in the middle. Put a guy on the edge (and) loosen the middle of the O-line up even more for Buckner."
What is it about Bosa that intrigues Smith and tells him the incoming rookie can be a star at the NFL level?
"It looks to me like he definitely spent a lot of time with his brother (Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa), and he's probably a year or two ahead just from what he knows through his brother," Smith responded. "How to work his hands, how to work the edge, how the O-line is sliding to protect against you. I think he's already got a step above on some of these other guys."
Smith was also asked to talk a little bit more about Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who racked up a career-high 12 sacks in 2018 to go along with his 67 combined tackles and three passes defensed.
"The guy had 12 sacks last year," Smith said. "I don't think (with) some of the line stunts they're doing, and how they're trying to break protections, they're not even utilizing him as much as they could. I think he can be even better than that, which is saying something."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Smith, which begins at the about the 6:10 mark, below.
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