Packers 2016 Draft: Roundtable mock draft second round

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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 /

Kenn Korb: LB Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame

Round 1: DT Andrew Billings

It is hard for me to suggest a team pick a player who likely won’t even suit up for them for at least a season (if ever), but more and more I find myself feeling alright with this kind of selection.

Before his knee injury (where he tore his ACL & LCL), Smith was considered by many to be a top 5-level talent, and getting a player like that in the late second round would be setting up a piece of the team’s future with massive talent and potential, while mitigating the risk that comes with the potential long-term issues Smith may experience from his injury.

Should his health be back to a reasonable level, he can be a dominating presence at OLB or possibly ILB. And seeing as the Packers are a team as well-built as any — very few true roster holes, plus two compensatory fourth round picks to join the usual draft haul — they could probably afford spending a pick on someone who may not immediately contribute but could be an impactful piece down the line.

Next: Thomas Friesen

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