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2016 NFL Draft: Injury-concern Prospects the San Francisco 49ers May Consider

By Peter Panacy

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) cries as he is carted off the field after suffering an injury un the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) cries as he is carted off the field after suffering an injury un the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) is carted off the field after being injured against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jaylon Smith (9) is carted off the field after being injured against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame

Injury: Knee

Not long ago, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith might have been considered a top-10 prospect in the NFL Draft. But his knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl destroyed his draft stock, and Smith has been hoping to regain any and all confidence NFL scouts have in his recovery process.

According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Smith’s progression from the gruesome knee injury hasn’t exactly gone according to plan.

And further reports from Fox Sports suggest the talented linebacker may end up missing all of the 2016 season.

The news will assuredly cause Smith’s draft stock to fall. The only question is how far.

San Francisco does have linebacker needs. And, when healthy, there is little doubt Smith would be one of the most enticing prospects in the country. Yet injuries, being what they are, put Smith into this high-risk, high-reward category.

The 49ers do own a substantial number of mid-to-late picks in Rounds 4 through 6. So a late-round flier on Smith is probably worthwhile if he continues to fall.

Next: ILB Scooby Wright