Jaylon Smith -- despite suffering a torn ACL and LCL against Ohio State on Jan. 1 -- continues to climb up draft boards.
Below are the latest projections for him and the rest of the promising prospects in Notre Dame’s 2016 NFL Draft Class.
Jaylon Smith, OLB, Giants
If you thought the Jets were a reach at No. 20, Smith is projected to be selected by the Giants at No. 10 according to Peter Schrager, per Fox Sports.
“Remember when the Giants had linebackers? Elite defenses? Smith is a star,” Schrager wrote. “He suffered a bad injury in the Fiesta Bowl and his recovery time is a bit of an unknown at the moment.
“He can rush the quarterback, stop the run, drop into coverage, and lead a team. He's a star -- healthy in April or not.”
The Giants, however, can ill-afford “healthy or not.” As if finishing 6-10 wasn’t bad enough, Big Blue finished 2015 as the worst defense in NFL history, allowing 420.3 yards per game, per NJ.com.
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Ravens
The Ravens can’t afford to lose Joe Flacco to injury for another season. The Super Bowl MVP tore an ACL in November’s 29-26 victory over the Chargers.
Protecting him will be the priority No. 1 in 2016, making Ronnie Stanley an obvious choice at No. 6.
Mel Kiper has the Ravens selecting OL Ronnie Stanley with the 6th overall pick in his mock draft.
— Truluvsports (@TruluvSports) January 15, 2016
Sheldon Day, DT, Saints
As horrid as the Giants defense was last season, the Saints were barely an upgrade.
New Orleans finished second with 413.8 yards allowed per game. Desperate to bring that number down, Pro Football Focus has the Saints selecting Sheldon Day.
The latest @PFF mock draft has Sheldon Day as the first ND player selected at 12th overall to the Saints.
— Jac Collinsworth (@JacCollinsworth) January 13, 2016
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sheldon day https://t.co/LhzzW4ofbH
— charles (@SundayFiasco) January 28, 2016
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