Cowboys Draft: Another Second Round Steal for the Taking?

The Cowboys have a history of drafting injured linebackers in the second round. Could Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith be next?

It wasn’t too long ago the Notre Dame star linebacker was considered a clear top-5 pick in 2016 NFL Draft. That lofty appraisal became a distant memory when Jaylon blew his knee out in Notre Dame’s Fiesta Bowl match-up against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

In what was called, “a catastrophic knee injury” and later clarified as a torn ACL and LCL, Jaylon Smith is all but assured to fall in this spring’s draft. How far he falls will depend on his pre-draft medical exams and a team’s willingness to draft a player that won’t be available for all or a portion of the 2016 season.

The Cowboys, never ones to shy away from a challenge, have a history of drafting injured LBs. Both Sean Lee and Bruce Carter were considered first round talents before knee injuries derailed their transition to the NFL. The Cowboys scooped them up, rehabbed them, and patiently waited to reap the rewards.

More from Cowboys Draft

• Dallas Cowboys 2019 Draft: Re-grading the picks 4 year later
• Dallas Cowboys: Re-grading the 2018 draft class (round by round)
• Re-grading the Dallas Cowboys 2016 draft, seven years later
• Dallas Cowboys 2023 UDFA profiles – Who are these guys?
• Dallas Cowboys 2023 draft grades: The science of the grades, pick by pick

Bruce Carter didn’t exactly work out for them, but Pro Bowler Sean Lee sure did. Lee is the mind, body, and soul of this Cowboys defense. He reads the offense, calls the plays, and more often than not – he makes the plays. His injury history aside, Sean Lee has become a Cowboys draft success story and Jaylon Smith has the potential to be all of that and so much more.

Jaylon Smith is the undisputed star of this incoming 4-3 linebacker class. Myles Jack is good, but Jaylon is great. It’s that widely shared fact that may not even allow Smith to slide out of the first round. The Dallas Cowboys, in need of a MIKE, will no doubt do their due diligence on Smith and his injury. Even if he misses his entire rookie campaign, he will worth a high pick to the right team.

Scouting Jaylon Smith

Smith is a complete three-down linebacker capable of playing either the middle or the weakside linebacker spots in any 43 defense. His instincts and preparedness standout on film, he reads the offense pre-snap and quickly reacts to developing plays with explosiveness.

More from Sports Dallas Fort-Worth

• West coast, Texas coast, burnt toast: Cowboys don’t need more runs
• Brandin Cooks will change the way defenses play the Dallas Cowboys
• Why the Dallas Cowboys defensive X-Factor is EDGE Sam Williams
• Dallas Cowboys: 3 head coach options if McCarthy fails in 2023
• Dallas Cowboys: Is CB Jourdan Lewis a tradeable asset?

Smith has tremendous lateral speed, quick burst, and strong blitzing ability. He has a knack for storming the backfield and is a sure tackler with strong fundamentals. At only 245lbs, he does struggle with opposing offensive linemen when locked up – but then again, what LB doesn’t?

His coverage ability is particularly impressive. Having watched every game of his this season, I’ve seen him cover running backs out of the backfield, tight ends, and receivers out of the slot. His speed is abnormal for a traditionally-durable three-down LB.

Smith played both zone coverage as well as man coverage at Notre Dame. He appears equally as comfortable in both, making him a perfect fit Rod Marinelli’s defense. Jaylon stands only 6’2, but in coverage he appears much longer and covers a vast amount of territory.

"Jaylon Smith vs Texas (2015)"

As far as character is concerned, there’s none better. Jaylon Smith was a captain and a first class teammate. Not quite the vocal leader Sean Lee is, Smith is a positive influence and a stable locker room presence. He works hard, stays out of trouble, and leads with his actions.

Next: Cowboys Draft: The Perfect Sleeper RB

Like mentioned earlier, how long Jaylon Smith lasts in the draft will likely come down to his medical examinations pre-draft. It seems certain he’ll miss a portion of the 2016 season and it’s possible he’ll miss the entirety. He’s going to be a star in this league and fixture in the middle for whichever teams drafts him. Delayed gratification may not be fun but it sure is smart in the long-run and Jaylon Smith is going to make someone look very smart one day.