Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith on New Orleans Saints’ radar, per report

Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame is reportedly drawing attention from the New Orleans Saints, but a recent knee injury will have teams skeptical come draft day.

The 2015 Butkus Award (nation’s top linebacker) winner is without question one of the top talents in the incoming rookie class.  However, he suffered a “significant” knee injury (torn ACL and LCL) against Ohio State on January 1, which makes it tough to decide whether or not a high draft pick should be used on him.

According to Matt Miller, an NFL Draft analyst for Bleacher Report who has Jaylon Smith rated as the No. 2 overall player, the New Orleans Saints are eyeing the Notre Dame linebacker with the 12th overall pick.

With glaring holes on the defensive side of the ball, it’s assumed the Saints will go that route in the upcoming selection process.  With weakside linebacker arguably being the team’s biggest need (Dannell Ellerbe‘s status is up in the air due to a series of injuries), there may be no better prospect than Jaylon Smith, who has the flexibility to play all three (or four) linebacker positions.

Sean Payton and company will have a big decision to make if Jaylon Smith is on their radar and does fall to them at No. 12 — 1. Draft him and wait, or 2. Pass him up and find immediate production.  Smith’s injury is no joke, and it could even leave him sidelined for most if not all of the 2016 NFL season.

The Saints know there is tremendous upside with Jaylon Smith, but they must be confident in the risk paying off.  It did for the St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams and running back Todd Gurley, who also suffered a big knee injury a year ago.  However, Gurley only missed the first two games of the 2015 season and became the workhorse by Week 4.

If Sean Payton and company are thinking about the future of the defense and don’t necessarily have a “right here, right now” mindset for one specific player, then look no further than Jaylon Smith.  Yes, he’s that good.  He has the size, speed, length, burst, pursuit, IQ, and coverage ability to be a wrecking ball to opposing NFL offenses for a very long time.  Not to mention, he possesses the leadership qualities coaches look for in a player thanks to team captain experience for the Fighting Irish.

Next: Pre-Senior Bowl Saints Mock Draft

Given New Orleans’ glaring need on the weakside and Smith’s endless ceiling, the talent will be tough to pass up.  Once over that injury, Jaylon Smith should have a very good career down on the bayou, or wherever he ends up.