2016 NFL Mock Draft: Creative Trade Causes Early Chaos

Jan 9, 2016; Frisco, TX, USA; North Dakota State Bison quarterback Carson Wentz (11) calls a play in the second quarter against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the FCS Championship college football game at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

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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 /

OLB. Notre Dame. Jaylon Smith. 11. player. 57. GM Ryan Pace strikes as a man who takes a measured approach to anything he does. Risk is acceptable, but should be kept limited to only the most intriguing of situations. This is one such situation. The Chicago Bears are in sore need of reinforcements at linebacker. Jaylon Smith would be the Holy Grail in most circumstances. Unfortunately he’s tagged with an injury label, having torn his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl. <p>That makes him a risk. How successful was the surgery? Will the knee heal to a point where he retains the elite-level athleticism that makes him a do-it-all linebacker? Initial predictions are he’ll be back to his old self by the start of next season but it doesn’t erase the gamble. In the end, Pace decides the talent and competence of modern medicine is enough to weight the chances.</p>

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