[tps_title]Linebacker Jaylon Smith[/tps_title]
The most obvious name to make this list, Jaylon Smith would have been a top ten pick in the 2016 Draft if not for his knee injury suffered during Notre Dame’s final game of the season against Ezekiel Elliott’s Ohio State Buckeyes. If Smith was in this upcoming draft, he would still be a consensus top talent, which proves exactly what the Dallas Cowboys saw in using the 34th overall pick last year to potentially steal Smith.
It is not often that a team has the opportunity to add two top five talents from a draft class, as Smith would have needed to be selected with the fourth overall pick that brought the Cowboys Zeke Elliott if not for his injury. Now slowly but surely getting some positive news about the nerve in his knee, Cowboys Nation can begin to dream about a defense that already outperformed expectations this season adding Jaylon Smith to the middle of the field in 2017.
As dominant of a MIKE linebacker as you’ll find out of college, Smith will be a force the second he suits up in the silver and blue in every defensive package for Rod Marinelli. He also has the ability to put his hand down and rush the quarterback off the edge, potentially elevating two levels of the Dallas defense.
Even with the possibility that Jaylon Smith could not be ready for the 2017 season, the linebacker position is already one that appears pretty set for the Cowboys – not needing a serious consideration at the top of the draft. Sean Lee has found a stretch of good health, Damien Wilson developed nicely this season, and depth players like Mark Nzeocha all have potential to compete for snaps.
Add Jaylon Smith to this depth chart next season? The Cowboys will happily pass on linebackers in the draft. Smith and Lee is all we need. Look out, world.
I think you nailed it with those variables and who will impact the draft. I think it’s fair to say that Chaz Green has been a disappointment. When you are not available it is disappointing and while he has shown some flashes at tackle it now looks like a position of need. I know there was talk of moving Collins to tackle but losing Leary will most certainly require us to take a tackle. Cooper is a bit of a wild card also as he may gel well with this line and be the guy he was originally drafted to be. And we still have Looney and Cleary. A guy of interest to me in the draft that often shows up in my mocks is Pat Elflein at C from Ohio State. I know he has played guard but wonder if he can play tackle. He is a great team leader and fits that RKG that Garrett likes. Good overview Sean.
Thanks as always for your loyal readership and responses, Randy. Really appreciated. Firm believer that a player’s best trait is availability, since you here it from good scouts all the time, and that is what it really comes down to on Chaz Green. I’ll have to take a look at Elfein. Thanks! Enjoy the Super Bowl.