Can Jaylon play SLB next season?

[xwalker]

Can Jaylon play SLB next season? I think he would be less exposed at SLB and could be used as a pass rusher from that position.

They would need to either re-sign Hitchens or find a legit MLB.

Other random thoughts on 2018:
I think they will sign 1 legit Free Agent but it won't be the very top tier. Maybe something like the Falcons did this year with Dontari Poe for 1 year, 8M.

They'll likely spend a little on a backup OT.

They'll need to do something at LB because I'm certain Hitchens will leave as a free agent considering they've already given Jaylon some snaps over Hitchens.

Starting positions:
Offense OK. Might draft TE or WR or OT.

LB - Hitchens likely gone, Lee not a 16 player and Jaylon not very good.

1tech - Collins playing out of position. If they get a legit 1tech, it can be a 3-man DT rotation with New Player, Collins and Irving. Maybe Irving occasionally plays DE.

RDE - Crawford has been OK. Taco might step up. Maybe Tapper. Probably use a mid round pick here.

Safety - They have options with Woods and Awuzie.

Conclusion: LB or 1tech only positions where they might target a starter in free agency.

 

[AbeBeta]

I expect we re-sign Hitch. He's a valuable piece and won't cost a ton of money. But we clearly need another LB

 

[Sydla]

He needs to be put at WILL or SAM. He's not a three down MLB.

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

He can't be given a starting role of any type until his drop foot condition is gone. He has to take double the steps a healthy player does which is killing his confidence. I'm faster going diagonally than he is.

Once his drop foot is close to 100% and he doesn't need the brace, then lets see what he can do. At this point your killing his confidence and the confidence of his teammates (I'm sure guys like Scandrick, Crawford, Lee, Hitchens, etc aren't thrilled with being exposed when he's in)

 

[IheartRomo]

Unless something changes between now and the end of the season, I wouldn't feel comfortable going into the season planning on using Jaylon even strictly as depth. We've seen what happens when he's on the field this year - complete and utter dysfunction and a sense of hopelessness that I'm not even sure the 2013 defense presented.

I would plan for the worst (absolutely no production from him whatsoever, same as this year) and if he progresses, then it's just icing on the cake. Planning on contributions and depth from him this year has, in great part, doomed the season. I don't see how the FO and coaching staff can go this route again if they truly think the 2017 squad has SB aspirations.

 

[Direwolf63]

Here is some out of the box thinking: make Jaylon Smith a pass rush specialist. He isn't that much smaller than Randy Gregory. Just have him go after the QB. Less thinking involved. He is clearly thinking too much now. He seems to have no trouble running forward. He has been fine blitzing.

I know this won't happen. But watching him at LB has been scary. Maybe he can be a Vic Beasley type? Who knows?

 

[Idgit]

I expect we re-sign Hitch. He's a valuable piece and won't cost a ton of money. But we clearly need another LB

We're going to give him a contract appropriate to his level of play, and everybody is going to ****. But it's going to be worth it in the scheme of things.

We'll still need another LB who can play, though.

 

[TheCount]

In my opinion, Jaylon is a classic weakside linebacker.

SAM requires a defender to play disciplined gap football, hold up against contact, and stay on his feet. You can't have a guy that thinks he's done his job because he dove into a crowd and felt contact.

WILL's are typically quick and agile, he doesn't have to deal with the TE nearly as often and is asked to chase the play from the weakside as teams typically go to the strong side, meaning he has to deal with less trash.

Think about someone like Telvin Smith who racks up crazy numbers at Will because he just gets to fly around as a 215 lb linebacker.

The problem is that Will's are asked to cover quite a lot, and Jaylon has a ways to go there since (at least right now) he's a downhill player.

The problem is that Lee plays Will and they are using the fact that will's face less trash to try and preserve Lee's health.

They won't play Lee at SAM or at WILL ever again, so now they have to force a round peg into a square hole and pretend Jaylon is a different kind of linebacker.

 

[LocimusPrime]

He can't be given a starting role of any type until his drop foot condition is gone. He has to take double the steps a healthy player does which is killing his confidence. I'm faster going diagonally than he is.

Once his drop foot is close to 100% and he doesn't need the brace, then lets see what he can do. At this point your killing his confidence and the confidence of his teammates (I'm sure guys like Scandrick, Crawford, Lee, Hitchens, etc aren't thrilled with being exposed when he's in)

Triple hammer of truth

 

[LocimusPrime]

Unless something changes between now and the end of the season, I wouldn't feel comfortable going into the season planning on using Jaylon even strictly as depth. We've seen what happens when he's on the field this year - complete and utter dysfunction and a sense of hopelessness that I'm not even sure the 2013 defense presented.

I would plan for the worst (absolutely no production from him whatsoever, same as this year) and if he progresses, then it's just icing on the cake. Planning on contributions and depth from him this year has, in great part, doomed the season. I don't see how the FO and coaching staff can go this route again if they truly think the 2017 squad has SB aspirations.

Exactomundo bro....great points
I agree that until he shows that he can be healthy, I expect nada from him

 

[Aven8]

He can't be given a starting role of any type until his drop foot condition is gone. He has to take double the steps a healthy player does which is killing his confidence. I'm faster going diagonally than he is.

Once his drop foot is close to 100% and he doesn't need the brace, then lets see what he can do. At this point your killing his confidence and the confidence of his teammates (I'm sure guys like Scandrick, Crawford, Lee, Hitchens, etc aren't thrilled with being exposed when he's in)

I mentioned this the other day that might have been what Oscan was talking to JG about. 54 is killing us coach!!

 

[Fletch]

I expect we re-sign Hitch. He's a valuable piece and won't cost a ton of money. But we clearly need another LB

Double Platinum Guarantee: We draft a stud MLB with the 1st or 2nd round pick.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Being honest here, if Smith can't figure out how to get stronger laterally, be able to change direction fluidly in coverage and just plain get stronger in order to stack, I don't think he can play regularly at any LB position. As long as he is on the field and as long as he is unable to do those things I mention, OCs are going to find him and expose him.

JMO

 

[LocimusPrime]

 

[LocimusPrime]

Being honest here, if Smith can't figure out how to get stronger laterally, be able to change direction fluidly in coverage and just plain get stronger in order to stack, I don't think he can play regularly at any LB position. As long as he is on the field and as long as he is unable to do those things I mention, OCs are going to find him and expose him.

JMO

Exactly...if I'm a OC, I'm coming at him. Run or pass it's gonna be a good gain

 

[IheartRomo]

Exactly...if I'm a OC, I'm coming at him. Run or pass it's gonna be a good gain

100%. If I'm the OC, the meat of my gameplan is attacking him in any way that I possibly can. I truly don't recall ever seeing such an obvious weakness on a defense in the NFL. It's physical, mental, experience, etc. weaknesses all wrapped into one. It's cherry picking.

Dallas has to find a way to keep him off the field to have any hope at staying competitive. The dropoff from Lee will still likely be drastic, but it just can't get any worse than it is with Jaylon right now.

 

[LocimusPrime]

100%. If I'm the OC, the meat of my gameplan is attacking him in any way that I possibly can. I truly don't recall ever seeing such an obvious weakness on a defense in the NFL. It's physical, mental, experience, etc. weaknesses all wrapped into one. It's cherry picking.

Dallas has to find a way to keep him off the field to have any hope at staying competitive. The dropoff from Lee will still likely be drastic, but it just can't get any worse than it is with Jaylon right now.

Did you see this clip....it makes me sad and worried

 

[superonyx]

Can Jaylon play SLB next season? I think he would be less exposed at SLB and could be used as a pass rusher from that position.

They would need to either re-sign Hitchens or find a legit MLB.

Other random thoughts on 2018:
I think they will sign 1 legit Free Agent but it won't be the very top tier. Maybe something like the Falcons did this year with Dontari Poe for 1 year, 8M.

They'll likely spend a little on a backup OT.

They'll need to do something at LB because I'm certain Hitchens will leave as a free agent considering they've already given Jaylon some snaps over Hitchens.

Starting positions:
Offense OK. Might draft TE or WR or OT.

LB - Hitchens likely gone, Lee not a 16 player and Jaylon not very good.

1tech - Collins playing out of position. If they get a legit 1tech, it can be a 3-man DT rotation with New Player, Collins and Irving. Maybe Irving occasionally plays DE.

RDE - Crawford has been OK. Taco might step up. Maybe Tapper. Probably use a mid round pick here.

Safety - They have options with Woods and Awuzie.

Conclusion: LB or 1tech only positions where they might target a starter in free agency.

Thank you for leaving Dez out of this so I can give you a like and not have to feel so conflicted.

 

[Proximo]

Can Jaylon play SLB next season? I think he would be less exposed at SLB and could be used as a pass rusher from that position.

They would need to either re-sign Hitchens or find a legit MLB.

Other random thoughts on 2018:
I think they will sign 1 legit Free Agent but it won't be the very top tier. Maybe something like the Falcons did this year with Dontari Poe for 1 year, 8M.

They'll likely spend a little on a backup OT.

They'll need to do something at LB because I'm certain Hitchens will leave as a free agent considering they've already given Jaylon some snaps over Hitchens.

Starting positions:
Offense OK. Might draft TE or WR or OT.

LB - Hitchens likely gone, Lee not a 16 player and Jaylon not very good.

1tech - Collins playing out of position. If they get a legit 1tech, it can be a 3-man DT rotation with New Player, Collins and Irving. Maybe Irving occasionally plays DE.

RDE - Crawford has been OK. Taco might step up. Maybe Tapper. Probably use a mid round pick here.

Safety - They have options with Woods and Awuzie.

Conclusion: LB or 1tech only positions where they might target a starter in free agency.

What do you think of Jaylon so far?

As bad as some are saying?

No instincts? Hesitating due to injury?

Genuinely curious.

 

[GORICO]

Can Jaylon play SLB next season? I think he would be less exposed at SLB and could be used as a pass rusher from that position.

They would need to either re-sign Hitchens or find a legit MLB.

Other random thoughts on 2018:
I think they will sign 1 legit Free Agent but it won't be the very top tier. Maybe something like the Falcons did this year with Dontari Poe for 1 year, 8M.

They'll likely spend a little on a backup OT.

They'll need to do something at LB because I'm certain Hitchens will leave as a free agent considering they've already given Jaylon some snaps over Hitchens.

Starting positions:
Offense OK. Might draft TE or WR or OT.

LB - Hitchens likely gone, Lee not a 16 player and Jaylon not very good.

1tech - Collins playing out of position. If they get a legit 1tech, it can be a 3-man DT rotation with New Player, Collins and Irving. Maybe Irving occasionally plays DE.

RDE - Crawford has been OK. Taco might step up. Maybe Tapper. Probably use a mid round pick here.

Safety - They have options with Woods and Awuzie.

Conclusion: LB or 1tech only positions where they might target a starter in free agency.

mr xwalker-- In your expert opinion do you think Jaylon Smith will physically recover and maybe mentally too at that point and truly become

what the team was hoping for....once in a generation linebacker?