Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys take Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith in second round

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:08 p.m. ET

foxsports

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys grabbed some help for their defense, even though Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith likely won't contribute until 2017 because of a major knee injury.

The Cowboys took Smith with the 34th overall pick in the second round Friday night.

The first-team AP All-America tore two ligaments in his left knee in his final college game against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. He skipped his final season of eligibility despite the injury.

The Cowboys went defense with both picks Friday night after staying away from their biggest needs with the fourth overall pick on opening night and getting Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. Nebraska defensive tackle Maliek Collins went to Dallas in the third round, with the 67th overall pick.

Dallas can afford to give Smith a year to heal with middle linebacker Rolando McClain returning for a second season and oft-injured Sean Lee coming off his first Pro Bowl season in 2015.

And the Cowboys are familiar with Smith's injury because Dr. Dan Cooper, one of their team physicians, performed the reconstructive surgery in January.

Smith also damaged a nerve when he landed awkwardly after being pushed by Ohio State's Taylor Decker. That's the injury that had NFL teams most concerned, wondering whether he would be the same athlete he was before the injury.

When healthy, Smith was one of the top linebackers in college football. He had a team-leading 114 tackles with nine tackles for loss.

Collins also skipped his senior season and will join former teammate Randy Gregory, who will serve a four-game suspension to start the season over a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

The 6-foot-2, 300-pound Collins had his best season as a sophomore with 45 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks. He had 29 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks as a junior.

The Cowboys stayed away from defensive ends through the first three rounds even though they have questions about their pass rush. Gregory (2015) and DeMarcus Lawrence (2014) were second-round picks the past two years. Lawrence is also facing a four-game suspension that hasn't been announced.

Noah Spence, a highly regarded end out of Eastern Kentucky, was among those available when Dallas picked in the second round. But he was kicked off the team at Ohio State because of drug-related issues. Spence went to Tampa Bay with the 39th pick.