Cleveland Browns Draft Profile: Jaylon Smith

The front seven will likely be an area addressed by the Browns early in the draft.

The Cleveland Browns are in full-on rebuild mode. This was to be expected with the hiring of Hue Jackson, when both he and Jimmy Haslam openly said this team was going to undergo a multi-year rebuilding process. With the departure of two key offensive linemen, Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz, and the signing of Robert Griffin III, this team is starting from the ground up and will be putting a large focus on the draft.

Both sides of the ball are going to need a lot of attention, and with the Browns having 10 picks in this year’s draft there will be plenty of opportunities for the team to address the multiple glaring needs they have. Finishing near dead last in run defense again in 2015, next to quarterback, defense will likely be high up on the agenda for the upcoming draft.

With former defensive coordinator Ray Horton back with the team from Tennessee, Cleveland has already put themselves in position to succeed, if not this year, in years to come. The team also went out and brought in Demario Davis in free agency, who will likely come in and become the anchor of the team’s linebacking corps.

Related Story: Cleveland Browns Draft Profile: Will Fuller

One name that is on many team’s radars despite the injury he suffered last season is Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith. One of the most talented athlete’s in this year’s class, he was projected to be a top-5 pick, if not number one overall pick before suffering a devastating ACL tear in the team’s bowl game.

He could be on the Browns radar, but it would have to be at the right place taking into consideration that will miss all of the 2016 season if not more. Here is a deeper look at Smith and what he could possibly bring to this team if Cleveland should decide he is worth the pick.

Next: Notre Dame Linebacker Jaylon Smith