Let's assume Jaylon Smith comes back 100%. what exactly are we getting?

[DFWJC]

In terms of pure size, speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability Jaylon is part of an elite group. He was arguably the #1 overall player in the 2016 class before injury and considered a generational talent at LB. I don't see anything wrong with comparing him to LT as prospects... they were both cream of the crop in their eras.

In absentee his legend has grown exponentially, I see.
I never once heard he was a "generational talent" before his injury.
He had mixed reviews but most everyone had him top 5-10 in the draft for one year.

If you heard that though, its certainly not worth it to me to argue the theoretical.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Names like Patrick Willis, Luke Keuchley, Derrick Johnson, Derrick Brooks, Ray Lewis and Lawrence Taylor have all been mentioned when describing Smith's play and potential. Let's assume for a second that he makes a full recovery and is exactly the player who some thought was the best overall in last year's draft class.

How great could his impact be and how will this team deploy him?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There is no success without peace of mind ✭ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClearEyeView?src=hash">#ClearEyeView</a> <a href="https://t.co/4ykAflMXPU">pic.twitter.com/4ykAflMXPU</a></p>&mdash; Jaylon Smith (@thejaylonsmith) <a href="

 

[AmericasTeam81]

Jaylon Smith: The Legend Continues.

 

[Zekeats]

Jaylon Smith: The Legend Continues.

The myth

 

[DandyDon52]

Of course not.

exactly, so that means right now it was another wasted 2nd round pick.

But given time maybe he heals up proper and plays, it is possible.

 

[dwreck27]

If he's 100% he was billed as a premier defender that you build defenses around

If he's 70-80% well then I would think he's an above average linebackers with some hiccups in his game... I'm guessing lateral cuts...

Anything worse than that would put him behind hitchens on this team

 

[big dog cowboy]

If he take a snap in a real game, I'd be shocked.

I don't get comments like these when he would have played in the GB playoff game if not on IR.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

If he's at 100%, he's got a tremendous range for a linebacker. For a linebacker of his size, his range is incredible. He had legitimately great coverage skills and great pass rush skills. Gets out to the perimeter really well and mows down outside zone runs.

The only issue is that he's not really a MIKE and they are hoping he makes the adjustment. There were some questions about his ability to run a defense. The good news is we have Sean Lee to make the calls and we can adjust the defense to allow the MIKE to run in free space more. However, that will require more tackle reads and really doing a good job of sustaining our gap responsibilities.

The big positive is if 100% healthy, you would kinda have 2 Sean Lee's out there. Lee is a complete linebacker that defends the run well, is good in coverage and is a good blitzer. Lee tends to use his high football IQ for those facets of the game while being a good athlete. Jaylon would look to be very good at those aspects of the game, but would be using his superior athleticism in order to do so.

However, we have to remember that Aaron Curry was supposed to be the second coming with his freakish athetlic ability and was a complete bust.




YR

 

[88sAndHeartbreak]

Its almost like some of you dont want Jaylon to be healthy, just so you can say "I knew it all along" or "I told you so". Even at the expense of the defense or the season.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

every body keeps playing the what if game with this guy until he gets on the field and does something its a just total speculation

We have plenty of game footage of him to watch. It's not pure speculation.

 

[rambo2]

exactly, so that means right now it was another wasted 2nd round pick.

But given time maybe he heals up proper and plays, it is possible.

He can play now.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

One trampoline video coming up.

Then, the medical experts tripping all over themselves.

Then quotes from Albert Breer and Brandon George reporting the nerve has fired from over 3 weeks ago. But before all of that of course we have the curmudgeons, pessimists, and malcontents coming into the poison the well. You illustrate that quite clearly.

 

[Doc50]

If he's at 100%, he's got a tremendous range for a linebacker. For a linebacker of his size, his range is incredible. He had legitimately great coverage skills and great pass rush skills. Gets out to the perimeter really well and mows down outside zone runs.

The only issue is that he's not really a MIKE and they are hoping he makes the adjustment. There were some questions about his ability to run a defense. The good news is we have Sean Lee to make the calls and we can adjust the defense to allow the MIKE to run in free space more. However, that will require more tackle reads and really doing a good job of sustaining our gap responsibilities.

The big positive is if 100% healthy, you would kinda have 2 Sean Lee's out there. Lee is a complete linebacker that defends the run well, is good in coverage and is a good blitzer. Lee tends to use his high football IQ for those facets of the game while being a good athlete. Jaylon would look to be very good at those aspects of the game, but would be using his superior athleticism in order to do so.

However, we have to remember that Aaron Curry was supposed to be the second coming with his freakish athetlic ability and was a complete bust.




YR

True, and I could see Jabril or Obi-one playing near the LOS in the nickel. Those 3 would be formidable once they get some chemistry.

As for Jaylon's play, he'll get better as the year goes on, and will be solid. Next year we'll likely see some greatness.

 

[waldoputty]

Its almost like some of you dont want Jaylon to be healthy, just so you can say "I knew it all along" or "I told you so". Even at the expense of the defense or the season.

i think Jaylon's tweets have annoyed a lot of people.
i am definitely rooting for him and it sounds good.
however, the emotional rollercoaster is tiring with him seemingly trolling all the fans who he knows are monitoring all his tweets.

 

[AsthmaField]

exactly, so that means right now it was another wasted 2nd round pick.

But given time maybe he heals up proper and plays, it is possible.

The answer to the question if someone would give Dallas a second for him would be no, in all likelihood.

That answer though, is complicated. Of course, the main problem would be that most teams would think that Dallas trying to move him meant there must be bad news on the injury front. They wouldn't want to be taken to the cleaners. They know Dallas wouldn't be trying to move him if all looks well. (and as we all know, Dallas isn't trying to trade him)

 

[AsthmaField]

True, and I could see Jabril or Obi-one playing near the LOS in the nickel. Those 3 would be formidable once they get some chemistry.

As for Jaylon's play, he'll get better as the year goes on, and will be solid. Next year we'll likely see some greatness.

Peppers? Yes. Obi-whats-his-kinobie? No. I don't think he's going to be very good. Maybe in the third round is where I might take a chance on his measurable... but he won't make it that long. Some team will get suckered by his combine and freakish height.

Peppers would be excellent in the SS role that Church and Wilcox vacated. His coverage is very good for a SS and he'll hit you. I don't absolutely love Peppers... but I do like him a lot.

 

[waldoputty]

The answer to the question if someone would give Dallas a second for him would be no, in all likelihood.

That answer though, is complicated. Of course, the main problem would be that most teams would think that Dallas trying to move him meant there must be bad news on the injury front. They wouldn't want to be taken to the cleaners. They know Dallas wouldn't be trying to move him if all looks well. (and as we all know, Dallas isn't trying to trade him)

i did not see that question. your answer is very reasonable.
no one would believe cowboys would trade jaylon unless something is wrong with him.

 

[DandyDon52]

i did not see that question. your answer is very reasonable.
no one would believe cowboys would trade jaylon unless something is wrong with him.

lol there is something wrong with him, and thats why he is wearing the brace.

my point is no other team would give a 2nd rd pick for a guy who might or might not heal.

 

[DandyDon52]

He can play now.

ok........ I aint arguing with Rambo !!

 

[AsthmaField]

As for the OP's question: I think you'd see an elite 43 LB who is very good at finding the ball and sifting through traffic. IMO, he'll be really good when asked to go after the QB on a blitz... but I don't think he'll get asked to do that a lot. He almost never misses as a tackler either. He excels at breaking down in the open field and not letting the runner get past him. Very secure tackler.

That's the thing about 43 LB's. It is difficult for them to make that much of an impact on the game. They really aren't asked to go get the QB... they're just told to go find the ball carrier and get him down. Of course, they spend a lot of time in coverage as well, and Jaylon is very, very good at that if he's 100%.

I think he'd be very comparable to Patrick Willis or Luke Keuchley actually. If healthy, he's going to put a hat on the ball carrier early and often, and he's going to get home on the few times he's asked to blitz the QB. I wouldn't expect that type of play immediately from him but if he's 100% by the 2018 season he could be as good as them.

He's probably a better athlete than either of Willis or Keuchley, and his length is better than theirs, but his instincts aren't as honed at this point. That's the case mainly because he played the Will LB spot and then was moved to the Mike position. He wasn't able to really get used to OLB before he had to learn to play inside. IMO, it isn't because of any lack of football IQ or instincts... more that he just doesn't have the time at one position to fully develop his game.

Of course, the real question is: Will he get back to what he was? Nobody knows at this point, but as they say in Texas: "We're about to find out."