News: Cowboys Draft Plans Could Be A Good Indicator That Jaylon Smith Will Be Ready To Roll

[CCBoy]

Cowboys Draft Plans Could Be A Good Indicator That Jaylon Smith Will Be Ready To Roll

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2017...cator-that-jaylon-smith-will-be-ready-to-roll



After a nasty knee injury in last year’s Fiesta Bowl, Jaylon Smith’s NFL career was thought to be in jeopardy. However, that didn’t sway the Cowboys from betting on him as they made Smith their second-round selection with the 34th overall pick in the 2016 Draft. A lot of time as passed and the Cowboys are really excited about what he will bring to the team this season. But is that for real or is it just Jerry Jones being overly optimistic? For us fans, we’ve heard the news that the nerve is firing, but we’ve also heard that he still has “drop-foot” and will require a brace. How do we really know what the team expects from him this year?

Well, actions speak louder than words and seeing him perform on the field will be the ultimate litmus test. But there are some other actions that are speaking as well and that pertains to the Cowboys draft plans in a couple weeks. The linebacker spot is a taxing position and every year the team throws a resource or two at some new bodies. If you look at all the drafts during the Jason Garrett era, every single one of them features at least one linebacker taken. In fact, three of those seasons included two linebackers drafted.

...

 

[Szczepanik]

Regardless of Jaylon's recovery, I fully expect Blair Brown to be a Cowboy. *crosses fingers*

 

[gmoney112]

Hope he pans out.

Our defense really needs more speed. None of those LB's are considered "football fast".

Hopefully Nacho gets some instincts this offseason as well. Wilson is starting to look like solid depth/SAM

 

[jazzcat22]

Don't understand what's going on with Nzeocha as he seem to be playing well then he was inactive most of the season.
We do need to draft a LB. If McMillan slips a little and is there at pick 60, I wouldn't mind him a bit. He is a play,aker, and can rush the QB from the LB position.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Don't understand what's going on with Nzeocha as he seem to be playing well then he was inactive most of the season.
We do need to draft a LB. If McMillan slips a little and is there at pick 60, I wouldn't mind him a bit. He is a play,aker, and can rush the QB from the LB position.

If we don't find 2 players on the DB and a Pass rush teams are just going to 7 on 7 drill us. Linebackers are a low priority .. my opinion of course.

 

[Teague31]

Hoping Nzeocha can stay healthy this year

 

[ShiningStar]

Wasnt Nzeocha the next best thing since the last next best thing? I cant keep up with all these next best players.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Don't understand what's going on with Nzeocha as he seem to be playing well then he was inactive most of the season.
We do need to draft a LB. If McMillan slips a little and is there at pick 60, I wouldn't mind him a bit. He is a play,aker, and can rush the QB from the LB position.

I think Nzeocha was hurt for a good stretch

 

[bark]

Don't sleep on Damian Wilson either.
Kid is very active and brings a load to the tackle

 

[Daillest88]

Don't sleep on Damian Wilson either.
Kid is very active and brings a load to the tackle

He was improving last year too. 3rd year hopefully doesn't shoot his eye out before training camp

 

[Roadtrip635]

I won't believe until it actually happens and is playing in games. We've all heard this before.

 

[bonafidebanter]

Man, I've been a huge Jaylon Smith fan since Notre Dame. There is no secret of my admiration for this kid. IF IF IF IF IF he gets back 100% then I'll change my tune with us drafting injured guys. I still wouldn't like it too much, but he is/can be a difference maker. I've been sending positive energy out to the universe for that nerve to wake up. Let's just hope that it will. I've been saying since last year that we need play makers on defense. Play makers are what I'm looking forward to see get drafted here.

 

[Sydla]

Don't sleep on Damian Wilson either.
Kid is very active and brings a load to the tackle

Was impressed with him down the stretch.

If you can run a LB corps out there of Lee, Smith and Wilson, that's a very athletic group of three.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Add in Dexter Coakley and we are set!

 

[jazzcat22]

Man, I've been a huge Jaylon Smith fan since Notre Dame. There is no secret of my admiration for this kid. IF IF IF IF IF he gets back 100% then I'll change my tune with us drafting injured guys. I still wouldn't like it too much, but he is/can be a difference maker. I've been sending positive energy out to the universe for that nerve to wake up. Let's just hope that it will. I've been saying since last year that we need play makers on defense. Play makers are what I'm looking forward to see get drafted here.

It won't change my opinion on drafting injured players. IF Jaylon recovers 100% and is great. That 1 player doesn't make up for for the 25 players (exaggeration) that haven't worked out.
But sure am with you there that he gets fully recovered and is that difference maker. Actually one of several difference makers.

Unless we have a very good roster, and that injured player is a 7th round pick, or an UDFA, then he can be on of the inactives every week ot on IR. Then don't draft that injured player at all. I am still somewhat mifffed they did that. That player they could have got could have made the difference in the playoffs. This this team still out dumbs themselves about something every year.
hopefully they don't have one of those moments this year.

 

[Rogerthat12]

 

[hornitosmonster]

Do we take Foster if there or did we learn from Randy Gregory?

 

[CCBoy]

Name: Zach Cunningham

Position: LB

College: Vanderbilt


Height/Weight: 6-3/234


...How He Helps The Cowboys: Cunningham could be an instant starter at any of the three linebacker positions, but where he’d play for the Cowboys would probably depend on a number of variables. If Jaylon Smith is healthy and ready to play, you’d likely see Cunningham as your starter on the strong side – and he has the talent to play a far larger role than the Cowboys demand from their current Sam linebackers. If Smith isn’t able to go, Cunningham could step into the starting middle linebacker spot, next to Sean Lee, as well. Regardless, he’d be a surefire talent boost to the linebacker corps – at a variety of positions.

Scout’s Take: Cunningham has outstanding playing speed for a tall player. He can really cover some ground when he runs -- downhill player. When he reads it, he’s gone. He plays with a burst and he shows range. This is a very good reactionary athlete who plays with lateral quickness. He can really change direction. He works through the trash to the get to the ball, and he does a nice job of getting rid of the blocker. He uses his hands well and he gets in a position to finish. He has some snap in his hands. This is an aggressive player. He can get outside to make the tackle. He handles the low block well, and he keeps his balance. He can play in coverage, and that is an important point. His speed allows him to keep up in route. He’s difficult to get away from. I honestly don’t see him coming off the field on the next level – regardless of where he plays. This is a player that has been flying under the radar during this draft season but has the potential to be a force with the team that selects him...


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...k-vanderbilt-lb-year’s-most-underrated-talent