Could Jaylon Provide Elite Pass Rush?

[Stash]

Speed. Electric pure speed combined with quickness. That and he's a football player.

I'd be very surprised if he's not a weapon getting to the quarterback. I'm of course talking more of obvious passing downs. I don't see him with his hand on the ground.

Hey, I'm not saying he won't be a factor. I'm expecting him to be a huge upgrade over Hitchens in the middle, and he'll likely get plenty of opportunities to blitz during the season.

But even then, I would expect no more than half a dozen sacks, hardly what I would consider "elite pass rush".

And I wouldn't expect Rod Marinelli to fundamentally change his defense to prove otherwise. Smith's biggest strength was his ability to cover and chase sideline to sideline.

He could be a nice weapon as a blitzer, but that's different from "elite pass rush".

 

[JeffInDC]

Or, if the opportunity presents itself, keep him at MLB and draft Tak McKinley to play that Bruce Irvin/Von Miller (he played SLB prior to Denver's switch to the 3-4) SLB/nickel rusher role. That's what he did so well last year at UCLA - OLB on most running downs, then he put his hand in the dirt on 3rd down.

 

[kazzd58]

it don't matter who we get as a pass rusher the other team is gonna hold them the majority of the time anyway and get away with it

in front of the refs... those bums cost us a super title man

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He should be a great blitzer, but I'm not sure he's the pure edge rusher that Miller is. Iirc he was a prolific pass rusher for a&m

Looking back at the past draft threads going back 5 years, you are consistently right while most people are parroting pundits. I don't necessarily agree with what you say but I would be a fool to just ignore it.

FWIW, I agree with you here. He would be by far our best blitzing LB but he is not in the same category as an elite edge talent like Miller.

 

[waldoputty]

Bruce Irvin is a 4-3 LB for the Raiders that had 7 sacks this season. When he was in Seattle he played LB in base and then (sometimes) moved to DE in the Nickel. I think at other times he played as one of the two LBs in the Nickel.

I don't know how the Raiders have been using him, but 7 sacks is a lot for a 4-3 LB.

The downside of using Jaylon Smith as a pass rusher is that he has the potential to be an elite coverage LB but obviously can be in coverage if he is rushing the passer. That TD where the Packers TE beat Sean Lee probably doesn't happen if a healthy Jaylon Smith is in coverage.

the problem is that we need 3 healthy jaylons

 

[SportsGuru80]

He will be an outstanding blitzer for us.

 

[Ken]

Yes, Marinelli is a 4-3 guy but we actually played a lot of the 3 DL in 2016.
But the philosophy was to play 8DB often with that.
This would instead require the use of active LBs that move around between different gaps.

I personally believe so and posted about it after the draft...
http://cowboyszone.com/threads/jaylon-smiths-pash-rushing.348605/

 

[Everson24]

But maybe not the right coach for it. No experience with 3-4 there.

I don't think we'll see a switch to a 3-4, but could see some unique wrinkles in 2017.

We need a Ryan Shazier type LB and a very good edge rusher. Let's hope Jaylon Smith is a least as good as Shazier. As far as outside pass rusher, I would make a serious run at JPP.

 

[DogFace]

My wife's family are die hard Notre Dame fans. They love in Indiana and have seen him since high school.
They hate the Cowboys. They say there's NOTHING this guy can't do on the field. Her grandpa told me a story about when in high school he walked a very fast talented rb who had a large headstart.

From what I've seen he can do it all.

 

[T-RO]

They've gone with three man fronts a lot. Brought it out against New England last season. It was kind of their secret weapon this season as well.

And not to speak for OP but I believe he's referring to some post draft commentary that Smith had a ridiculous pressure rate at ND.

I am the OP! LOL.

As per the 3-man line that was used. Yes. Using that in combination with blitzing corners and LBs...bling. Could make the difference in a Rogers rematch.

 

[streetcredit]

Matt Miller

✔@nfldraftscout
Pre-injury, Jaylon Smith would have had my highest all-time grade for a defender. https://twitter.com/T_Johnson_TJ/status/723359173648371712 …

11:54 PM - 21 Apr 2016

 

[SlammedZero]

The guy at the liquor store said yes.

 

[Vintage]

Until he plays a down and shows he is recover, why count on him for anything?

 

[Proof]

Until he plays a down and shows he is recover, why count on him for anything?

Because it's exciting and we're looking for stuff to be optimistic about after a crushing end to the season, duh.

 

[big dog cowboy]

How about 'could Jaylon Smith even get on the field in a meaningful game?'

I wouldn't bet on this happening.

I would in a heartbeat and not think twice about it.

 

[waldoputty]

I would in a heartbeat and not think twice about it.

The interesting press reports is Jaylon running ~4.4 with a brace.
Also that Jaylon is doing pass rush and agility drills as if he did not have a brace even though he did (as witnessed by member of press).

So one question is this info being released because Jaylon is going to be playing with a brace.
Or that he is close to not needing a brace.
If he can play like that, I suppose no one cares if he has a brace or not.

 

[LocimusPrime]

I don't know if he's any good at anything until he plays an NFL regular season game. His college projections, which we all know don't always translate to the NFL, says he'll be a good linebacker.

The scouts undervalued Dak and were wrong, hopefully Jaylon turns out to be a stud! Go Cowboys.
As far as pass rushing, our scheme doesn't blitz linebackers that often. If he's good he should end up with 3-5 sacks max in our scheme