NFC Notes: Cowboys, Pack, Lions, Cards

The Cowboys believe they got an elite prospect when they chose injured Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith in the second round (34th overall). In fact, the team graded Smith as a top-five prospect in this year’s draft, according to owner Jerry Jones. Said executive vice president Stephen Jones, “He may not football play this year. What he is ultimately going to be he is definitely worth our second-round pick” (Twitter links via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). Prior to tearing his ACL and LCL on Jan. 1, Smith was seen as a surefire first-rounder and a likely top-10 pick.

More from the NFC:

  • The Packers’ third-round selection of Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell should bring about the end of the Mike Neal era in Green Bay, Neal tweeted. Neal, who has spent his entire career with the Packers since they used a second-rounder on him in 2010, is still without a contract despite accumulating at least four sacks for the fourth straight season.
  • Having taken two offensive linemen and a defensive lineman during the first two days of the draft, the Lions may look to add depth at the skill positions on Saturday, GM Bob Quinn said Friday (Twitter link via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com). However, the best-player-available approach still figures to win out on day three, Quinn cautioned.
  • The Eagles don’t have a fourth-rounder entering the final day of the draft and executive VP Howie Roseman expects it to stay that way (Twitter link via Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer). As of now, they’re scheduled to pick five times Saturday – twice in both the fifth and seventh rounds and once in the sixth.
  • Head coach Bruce Arians doesn’t expect the Cardinals to have to sign another veteran cornerback to their roster, but said the team will “wait and see” if a move is required (Twitter link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

View Comments (5)