Do not lose sight of this

[TheCount]

I don't follow? The biggest issue for rookies of his caliber is rarely physical goods, you're not a top-5 pick (which he would have been) unless the good lord gave you the physical tools to be in that position. The issue is generally the mental part of the game, which he'll have a full year to comprehend to the best of his ability. You also have to assume that he'll be Sean Lee's pet cat for that year. If the knee heals (big IF), we just got another La'El Collins style steal.

Not exactly La'El Collins (absolutely no concerns about him physically, mentally or off field. Didn't cost a draft pick and is on a cheap contract - very very very low risk), but I understand your point.

I don't think football is one of those skills you can learn by watching, you need to apply what you've learned at full speed. He won't be able to do that till year 2, essentially his rookie season. That's on top of learning to trust his knee under live fire.

All I'm saying is that we aren't talking about expecting the kid to be full go in one season, it's likely a couple of years before we see him at full speed physically and mentally.

 

[robjay04]

most rookies do not make immediate impacts in the league, there's a development stage for all these guys and the notion that you can get multiple starters year one from a draft class is EXTREMELY UNCOMMON.

The draft is all about long term investments and building a vision for your team 3 years down the road.

Jaylon Smith is a 20 year old kid, let him recover this year and learn the nuances of becoming a professional... Like every single other day 2 pick. Instant gratification is not what the draft is about, all of these kids will take a few years before developing into what they can be as pros.

This pick is all about the vision we have for our defense moving forward. Jaylon Smith is the type of talent you can build around. Patience.

I was actually considering making this same post but you said it better. I didn't like the Smith pick, I would prefer to have a body that can take some reps right now but no rookie is going to have an immediate impact. We could sign back Mincey tomorrow and get similar production than any rookie could offer us year one IMO.

 

[Section446]

Not at all. You talked about a strategy n when it didn't pan out you made an exception.

My "draft strategy" has always been and will always be to go BPA. We just happened to pick a guy in Elliott who plays a position where rookies generally have an immediate impact. You're trying to start something where there's nothing to be started.

 

[Doomsay]

And yesterday, the reason given to justify the Elliott pick was 'immediate impact'.

Funny how the story changes depending on whatever player Dallas drafts?

The bipolar draft strategy.

 

[waving monkey]

I don't mind rookies only contributing a little in their first year, but we're not talking 1 year for Jaylon to get back to what he was. Even assuming he heals up and is as good as new (big if), he'd be sitting out an entire year so year 2 would be his rookie year. That means we're looking at Year 3 being the year he starts putting things together.

I think thats pouring out the half empty glass

 

[Bleu Star]

Comparing Zeke's potential to the rest of these later round draft picks is silly. It's apples to oranges stuff.

It's not bi-polar. It's common sense.

Zeke is ready day one. The rest of these guys will take the normal 2 years or so to begin showing that potential. That's why I'm not mad at all with the Jaylon Smith pick. We got us an absolute stud on D. You just wait.... If you can...

 

[Section446]

Not exactly La'El Collins (absolutely no concerns about him physically, mentally or off field. Didn't cost a draft pick and is on a cheap contract - very very very low risk), but I understand your point.

I don't think football is one of those skills you can learn by watching, you need to apply what you've learned at full speed. He won't be able to do that till year 2, essentially his rookie season. That's on top of learning to trust his knee under live fire.

All I'm saying is that we aren't talking about expecting the kid to be full go in one season, it's likely a couple of years before we see him at full speed physically and mentally.

I think we're generally on the same page.

 

[iceberg]

My "draft strategy" has always been and will always be to go BPA. We just happened to pick a guy in Elliott who plays a position where rookies generally have an immediate impact. You're trying to start something where there's nothing to be started.

Ok. You must be right again.

 

[Cowboy06]

Key word was "most" rookies...not all. I believe we are all in agreement. We just want the Boys to return to the playoff consistently and win more often than not.

 

[cowboyblue22]

if the pats were going to draft him in the second you know it was a risk worth taking. If they had drafted him everyone in the media and most fans would be saying what a great choice this was its dallas so its not so good according to them.

 

[tyke1doe]

I cant see them taking Jaylon in the second if he cant play in 2016. IMO, they then should have waited to see if they can get him in the 3rd round. Jaylon's brother plays for the Cowboys and I hope that didn't influence the pick to were they would have done something detrimental to the quality of the team for family reasons. I had to put up with a lot of nepotism in my sports days, but there was no money changing hands.

Lets hope he can be helpful in 2016 and not to the point he gets reinjured though. I'm just under the impression right now that a repaired ligament will never be able to take the tensile stretching that a non injured one can.

I doubt very seriously that the Cowboys made this move to satisfy a family member who may not even be on the team at the start or end of training camp.

 

[LittleD]

I think it's the best of both worlds. Zeke gives u a threat. But does not have to carry the load, and even though he's a accomplished blocker u can ease him into pass blocking at the NFL level. You have a DT who can jump into the rotation. If Lee hurts himself again, you have a guy to take over next year. Would I have preferred a QB? Yes. But so far I'm happy.

Be happy, your wish is likely to be granted today when the Cowboys select Dak Prescott in the 4th round. Be patient grasshopper.

 

[tyke1doe]

Smith is a high risk, high reward pick. If by next year he can return to what he was then he is s steal.
I understand those upset by the pick, it's very risky. I don't get those who gripe because they didn't get THEIR injured player. If you supported taking Jack then you are being hypocritical.
Smith will probably miss a year but from everything I've read his knee should fully recover and not be a future problem, whole jack may play this year he may need additional surgery and degenerative problems.
Those not wanting either I get. I wouldn't have picked either player at 34, but those who were pumping jack but freaking over smith are those who only like a pick if it's the one player they wanted and prefer complaining to looking at a pick objectively

I see your point, but I disagree. The difference to me is that Jack will play this year, Jaylon won't. I think the issue with many Cowboys fans is immediacy. Remember, we're on a Romo window. One more year for the Cowboys to get back close to defensive dominance is one more year towards Romo's retirement.
Within his three-year window, we've got to put team around him that can get to the Super Bowl.

But many of us wonder if he'll make it; thus, the hesitation over this pick because we need a defense that will complement our offense, and we need those players available and on the field.

 

[LittleD]

The bipolar draft strategy.

Not really, both players are for the mid to long term if they work out. If Romo retires in two years, Elliott and Smith will help transition
to a new franchise QB whoever that turns out to be. Our OL will still be opening holes and Elliott will be cashing the checks. Smith
will be getting sacks from everywhere on the DL.

 

[Stash]

RB is one of the few exceptions to the rule.

Anything the Cowboys do is the "exception to the rule".

 

[visionary]

most rookies do not make immediate impacts in the league, there's a development stage for all these guys and the notion that you can get multiple starters year one from a draft class is EXTREMELY UNCOMMON.

The draft is all about long term investments and building a vision for your team 3 years down the road.

Jaylon Smith is a 20 year old kid, let him recover this year and learn the nuances of becoming a professional... Like every single other day 2 pick. Instant gratification is not what the draft is about, all of these kids will take a few years before developing into what they can be as pros.

This pick is all about the vision we have for our defense moving forward. Jaylon Smith is the type of talent you can build around. Patience.

What you guys are missing is that he is not just injured and will recover. If that were the case I would be on boardwith this. If that were the case a team would have picked him in Rd 1 anyway.

He has nerve damage in his knee to the point that he cannot even lift his foot without support. While there is a very good probability he will recover some function, the probability that he will recover enough to play in the nfl are low and the chance that he will be elite is remote.

This was a complete waste of a Rd 2 pick at a place where we could have picked up a starter on defense. There is no way to put lipstick on this pig.

 

[conner01]

I see your point, but I disagree. The difference to me is that Jack will play this year, Jaylon won't. I think the issue with many Cowboys fans is immediacy. Remember, we're on a Romo window. One more year for the Cowboys to get back close to defensive dominance is one more year towards Romo's retirement.
Within his three-year window, we've got to put team around him that can get to the Super Bowl.

But many of us wonder if he'll make it; thus, the hesitation over this pick because we need a defense that will complement our offense, and we need those players available and on the field.

I get that to a degree. From everything I've read smith has a much better chance at a full career than jack. He will miss a year but to me that's a small price for the guy some think was the best player in the draft.
I wouldn't have taken smith or jack at 34 myself. But I think some fans get locked into their one player and can't see the value in any other single player. As I said I wouldn't have taken either player at 34 but i think more long term. If you are gonna take a lb with a knee issue I would take the best one
Those who didn't want any injured player st 34 I do get, and I'm one of them

 

[Section446]

Anything the Cowboys do is the "exception to the rule".

You've got the wrong guy if you're implying that I follow that mindset, this team is a disaster... doesn't mean I'm going to go out of my way to hit them over the head when they do actually make a good decision.

 

[Stash]

Not funny at all. Marinelli wanted all 3 of these guys and this is turning into the Marinelli/McClay draft. The M&M boys are unwrapping their
Christmas presents early.

Saving one for next Christmas apparently.

Who knows what Marinelli did or didn't want? He's sure not about to come out and say anything otherwise.

 

[Doomsay]

Not really, both players are for the mid to long term if they work out. If Romo retires in two years, Elliott and Smith will help transition
to a new franchise QB whoever that turns out to be. Our OL will still be opening holes and Elliott will be cashing the checks. Smith
will be getting sacks from everywhere on the DL.

Under that 2 year scenario:
Chance that we have a franchise QB in 2 years: very slim
Chance we would have a $8.9 mm cap hit, while trying to find said franchise QB.. very high.
RB's are definitionally not in it for the long term, especially in the protocol era.
1st round seemed like a really good win now proposition & we have the franchise QB to win now, so that makes sense. We left a big hole in our DL (one of our greatest weaknesses over the past 3 seasons) by not taking a play now prospect & instead took a sky's the limit in 2 years guy.

A disjointed approach, if there ever was one.