MAY 01, 2015 7:51p ET
MAY 01, 2015 7:51p ET
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) The Washington Redskins have taken Mississippi State linebacker Preston Smith with the 38th overall pick in the NFL draft.
The second-round choice Friday gives Washington a potential pass-rushing replacement for 2009 first-round pick Brian Orakpo, who left as a free agent this offseason.
Smith, listed at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds, became a full-time starter in college as a sophomore in 2012. He totaled 16 sacks and forced seven turnovers in his career.
Smith played defensive end at Mississippi State but the Redskins want to use him as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, opposite Ryan Kerrigan.