Should the Atlanta Falcons take a risk on Jaylon Smith?

With Jaylon Smith’s rookie season in doubt, should the Atlanta Falcons take a risk and draft him?

Not long ago, Jaylon Smith was surefire top-ten draft pick who any team would love to have. Now, it’s about which team is brave enough to take him with the knowledge he’ll almost certainly miss the entirety of the 2016 season and possibly beyond.

One thing is clear: Smith is unlikely to be selected in the first round of April’s draft. After suffering such a significant injury, it’s unlikely a team will be willing to give up a day one selection on him. Teams have holes to fill on their roster, and Smith would be a long-term option with a major red flag next to his name.

If he can at some point return to 100 percent, whether that’s in 2016, 2017 or beyond, he could be a draft steal. With only five picks in the draft, there’s a major question mark whether the Falcons would be willing to use one for the future. A future that may never come to fruition.

If there was no nerve damage, this would be a much easier situation. Smith would still be a first round draft choice, one the Falcons would definitely consider. Todd Gurley proved last year that it can be worthwhile selecting a player despite recovering from a significant injury. But unlike Gurley’s torn ACL, Smith’s injury is far from severe.

The nerve damage could end Smith’s career before it’s even begun, which is devastating news for one of the most talented young prospects the draft had to offer. Everyone hopes this isn’t the case, but teams are faced with this possibility.

Next: What are the Falcons' second-round options?

Equally, he could make a full recovery and go onto be the star linebacker everyone was expecting. That’s the roll of the dice one team will make. It all depends on what round he falls to.

Should the Atlanta Falcons take a risk on Smith, and if so, what’s the highest round you would take him in?