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Cleveland Browns: 5 targets for Round 2 of the 2016 NFL Draft

By Kyle Kelly

Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates a fumble recovery in the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates a fumble recovery in the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates a fumble recovery in the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) celebrates a fumble recovery in the third quarter against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 41-24. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Jaylon Smith, Linebacker Notre Dame

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 223 pounds
Arm Length: 33 inches
Hands: 9 1/2 inches

Before suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, Jaylon Smith was discussed as being the best NFL prospect in this year’s draft. Smith’s injury kept him from going through drills at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, leaving him as one of the biggest questions in this year’s draft and as a player who could go anywhere on draft weekend.

Smith was a 2015 consensus All-American and became only the second player to win both the high school and college Butkus Awards as the nation’s top linebacker. Smith lead the Fighting Irish this past season with 113 tackles, including nine tackles for loss.

It’s unlikely that Smith will be ready for the 2016 season, but this elite defender definitely has to be in consideration to be drafted at No. 32. He may not be able to make an immediate impact, but once Smith gets back on the field, he has the potential to be the next Khalil Mack or better. Drafting Smith at No. 32 would very much help launch a true rebuild for the Browns.

(Combine stats provided by NFL.com)

Next: Browns should give RG3 a chance

The NFL Draft will take place April 28-30 in Chicago. Be sure to follow Dawg Pound Daily to keep up with everything the Browns are trying to do while they go through their latest biennial rebuilding project.

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