What is the ceiling on Jaylon Smith?

[LandryFan]

That is a good analogy. We might have dodged a bullet with this pick.

...or we might have hit the jackpot!

 

[jazzcat22]

The likelihood is that even if his foot doesn't improve he will get better as he gets used to the game speed and angles. He still has overrun a few plays...not sure if that is a function of not being able to stop as quick as he could before or just because he has been away from live action. Either way, he played well the other night and if that is what we get the rest of the season it will be good. If he gets better, it's just frosting on the cake right now.

I think it is mostly, if not all, from being away from live action. And not just live action, but from the speed of the game as to the difference from college and the NFL. However he has been away from college long enough for that not to be, or should not be a factor. So really it's just getting used to live action as it pertains to the NFL.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Minimum - Pro Bowler

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

You could already see flashes of his ability sunday. Flying to the sideline and making a leaping tackle. Using his kung ** elbow to force the fumble. Those are the types of plays we haven't really had much from linebacker, especially from anybody not named Lee.

If he returns to the guy who was going to be picked top 5, he's 1st team all pro MLB material. That's a big if of course.

 

[Wood]

Last year, I thought he'd be lucky to ever play in a real game. Now, all signs are pointing up.

IF that's the case and all the signs are pointing up, how far up are they pointing? What is the ceiling on this guy at this point?

if he fully heals (no device, no drop foot). I think he is DPOY

 

[xwalker]

Last year, I thought he'd be lucky to ever play in a real game. Now, all signs are pointing up.

IF that's the case and all the signs are pointing up, how far up are they pointing? What is the ceiling on this guy at this point?

Combine the best traits of Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor and Deion Sanders...

 

[shabazz]

Combine the best traits of Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor and Deion Sanders...

And a slice of Lou Gossett Jr.

 

[Dorsett33]

The guy ended up with 7 tackles in 35 or so snaps. That's pretty darn good for his first NFL game. If I have to judge (which I don't like to from one game) his ceiling from that....it's pretty high.

 

[Nightman]

I see a Jr Ray Lewis with the sideline to sideline speed...... JSmith is not as small as some people think.......

 

[speedkilz88]

I see a Jr Ray Lewis with the sideline to sideline speed...... JSmith is not as small as some people think.......

He isn't small at all.

 

[Macnalty]

...or we might have hit the jackpot!

I hoping you are right, what a find if it turns out.

 

[Nightman]

It is funny how no one mentions Ronaldo Smokey McClain anymore

 

[LandryFan]

I hoping you are right, what a find if it turns out.

Yep, the jury is still out, but early returns have me leaning towards the optimistic side.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

If you are waiting for him to reach his ceiling then you need to wait to hear he does not have hard plastic on the back of his foot anymore.

Don't trust the braintrust at the DFW media to figure it out.

Says the guy that claimed he wasn't wearing an AFO for nearly the past year, smh.

#irony

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

If his recovery continues to progress to full functionality of the foot then sky is the limit as he was a true impact player at the college level.

 

[robjay04]

Jaylon played like a special player playing his first NFL game.

In my mind, that's how I'm going to look at him, not as an injured player. He was adequate and flashed some good things in his first week, he will only improve.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

The roof.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I think folks need to remember too, even if 100% healthy he's still effectively a rookie and one that hasn't played in over a year. There will be growing pains.

 

[TheHerd]

His skillset is the same as Brian Urlacher, though he's not really as violent because he's smaller.

I can't find a good comparison for Jaylon. I disagree with the Kuechly comparison since Jaylon just doesn't look as thick through the mid-section. In fact, he's quite lean which may be why he has trouble taking on blocks.

 

[Future]

I can't find a good comparison for Jaylon. I disagree with the Kuechly comparison since Jaylon just doesn't look as thick through the mid-section. In fact, he's quite lean which may be why he has trouble taking on blocks.

He didn't have any problem with that against the Giants though.