If former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith was completely healthy he'd likely be in consideration for the Cowboys' fourth overall pick.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay mentioned this scenario during a Tuesday conference call.

Unfortunately, Smith is not completely healthy. He tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee and possibly suffered nerve damage after landing awkwardly at the end of a play in this year's Fiesta Bowl. He had reconstructive surgery and will miss the entire 2016 season.

"He was clearly a top-five talent in this draft," McShay said. "I know of two general managers right now that told me he was going to be the No. 1 player on their board. They thought he was the best football player in this draft."

Smith displayed so much athleticism and versatility in college that he looked capable of playing any of the three linebacker spots in the Cowboys' defensive scheme.

But the knee injury has brought a considerable amount of uncertainty to the 6-2, 223-pounder's NFL future.

"From what I understand talking to multiple teams and people around here, it's highly concerning," McShay said. "He's certainly not playing next year. He may never get to the level that he was, so you're taking a huge medical risk. For each team it's about their doctors and what their protocol is.

"But if you're asking me where I project him, it won't surprise me if we get to Day 3, and I can't believe I'm saying it, but it won't surprise me if we get to Day 3 and Jaylon Smith is still on the board."

Considering that Cowboys team physician Dan Cooper performed the operation on Smith in January, Dallas should know more about the situation than any other team.

The Cowboys have four sixth-round picks this year. If they believe Smith has a chance of returning to his old form, maybe they spend one on a player who could end up being the steal of the draft.