Negative Feelings
- Had a mid round grade on him. Many players I would have picked before him, including D.J. Moore and Harold Landry.
- More importantly, how expensive could it have been to trade up two picks and get the best safety in the class?
- Bad at shedding blocks (have fun playing Mike buddy).
- Negative medical (likely a smokescreen.)
Positive Feelings
- High upside player. Great measurables and described as "ascending player" by Dane Brugler.
- Addresses major need.
- Seems like a likeable person.
- He isn't Rashaan Evans.
- Not nearly as terrible as the Taco Charlton pick.
C+
P.S. This does not mean Jaylon Smith was a wasted pick. It's called a 4-3 defense because it has 3 linebackers in the formation. There's also this nickel formation called 3-3-5, where you sub out a defensive tackle instead of a linebacker; Jaylon Smith blitzed a lot as an OLB in college, so it'd be nothing new for him.