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Jaylon Smith: Most expensive NFL redshirt ever?

It appears that at least some NFL teams are prepared to make Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith the latest -- and perhaps the most expensive -- redshirt draft pick in recent league history.

Smith was one of the draft's top prospects before suffering a major left knee injury Jan. 1 in the Fiesta Bowl, tearing his ACL and LCL. He also has nerve damage and isn't expected to be ready to play until the 2017 season.

But according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, interest in Smith remains high enough that he will be drafted no later than the third round Friday night. One head coach told Schefter that it's possible Smith will be drafted by the end of Round 1.

That would be a high price to pay for a player who won't contribute in 2016 and, given the severity of the injuries, is no sure bet to return to his previous form. But the process of "redshirting" -- drafting injured players with an eye toward future seasons -- has gained steam in recent years among teams with extra draft capital.

At the moment, the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns each have 12 draft picks. (The 49ers have been at the forefront of this trend, as you'll see below.) The New England Patriots have 11, while the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos have 10 apiece.

Let's update the recent history of redshirting, in cases when high-draft choices were used, to get a sense for its hit-and-miss success rate. Given the nature of his injuries and Schefter's report, you could make an argument that Smith will be the riskiest among those on this list.

OL Cedric Ogbuehi

Year: 2015

Team: Bengals

Round: 1

Injury: Torn ACL

Outcome: Missed all of 2015 but has been fully cleared and will compete for the Bengals' starting right tackle job in 2016.

CB Aaron Colvin

Year: 2014

Team: Jaguars

Injury: Torn ACL

Outcome: Returned in time to play in six games his rookie season and then all 16, starting 15, in 2015.

OL Brandon Thomas

Year: 2014

Team: 49ers

Round: 3

Injury: Torn ACL

Outcome: Sat out 2014, did not play an offensive snap last season but remains on the roster.

DL Tank Carradine

Year: 2013

Team: 49ers

Round: 2

Injury: Torn ACL

Outcome: Missed 2013 season and has been mostly a reserve defensive lineman since, appearing in 23 games in two seasons and starting one. He played 213 snaps last season.

RB Marcus Lattimore

Year: 2013

Team: 49ers

Round: 4

Injury: Three torn knee ligaments and dislocation

Outcome: Missed all of 2013 and returned to practice in mid-2014. He retired in November 2014 without appearing in a game.