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Green Bay Packers: Ten mid-round options in 2016 NFL Draft

By Freddie Boston

Nov 27, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) carries the ball away from Marshall Thundering Herd safety Taj Letman (17) during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers tight end Tyler Higbee (82) carries the ball away from Marshall Thundering Herd safety Taj Letman (17) during the first half at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) reacts after making a tackle against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Southern California 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) reacts after making a tackle against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Southern California 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame

It doesn’t feel right adding Jaylon Smith’s name to a list of mid-round targets, but that’s due to the cruel nature of the sport. Smith was surefire top-ten pick before suffering a torn ACL and LCL during the Fiesta Bowl in January. Even with the knee injury, Smith was expected to be a first round talent.

That will potentially change with concerns emerging that Smith has also suffered nerve damage. This would not only put his short-term availability is serious doubt, but also his career. There’s as much chance of Smith never playing at the same level again as there is him becoming a star in the NFL.

At this stage, it all speculation and his next medical checks will be crucial. Teams will be scared to use an early pick on the Notre Dame product, and rebuilding franchises might be afraid to call his name on the first two days completely.

For a team like the Packers, who already have a roster ready to compete for a championship, using a fourth-rounder might be worth the gamble. Assuming Green Bay receives a couple of compensatory picks on day three, it would be a low-risk move with sky-high potential.

Next: Another tight end

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