Packers 2016 Draft: Roundtable mock draft second round
![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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Flombardiave-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F04-2Fjaylon-smith-ncaa-football-southern-california-notre-dame-850x560-093bdef96826370214f2af227738b450436077cdf4cc5a3f7f679ded04e8863a.jpg)
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