Cleveland Browns Draft Profile: Jaylon Smith

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Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Tyrone Swoopes (18) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Drafting Smith to play outside backer would not at all be a bad thing for Cleveland. Paul Kruger is coming off his worst year statistically since joining Cleveland, Barkevious Mingo is said to have put on 20 pounds bumping him to 260, but questions still remain about what kind of contribution he can really make on this defense, and with Ray Horton back as defensive coordinator, Smith could be like putty in his hands when he is ready to come back

Red-shirting Smith for the 2016 season would give Mingo a season to show what he could do at a higher weight class, and with 2017 being the last year on Kruger’s contract, give Smith a year to get adjusted to the NFL level, and send him out as a key member of your defense in 2018 when he is totally ready to play and healthy.

While there are still a lot of “if’s” surrounding Smith and when he will be able to play again, one thing that is for sure is that when he is able to play again, he will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with. Smith progressively got better each year he was at Notre Dame and was named a captain his sophomore and Junior seasons.

With his ability to rush the pass, play good coverage, tackle in the open field, and his leadership skills, Smith would provide something any defense would want to have; an all-around playmaker that is also a stand-up guy and locker room leader.

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