Jaylon Smith 2016 NFL Draft Profile

Jaylon Smith was simply the best linebacker in college football last season. Here is the Jaylon Smith 2016 NFL Draft Profile…

Notre Dame linebacker, Jaylon Smith, was about to complete a dream season. Smith was considered a top-5 pick by most and the very best player overall by many. He was a high-charahter leader with coverage, pass-rush, and open-field tackling skills. He was a lock to cash-in, in the 2016 NFL Draft.

But then the unthinkable happened.

The only question about Jaylon Smith is – can he do it again?

Jaylon Smith suffered a devastating knee injury (on a block after the whistle) in the Fiesta Bowl match-up against Ohio State. In what has been called “a catastrophic knee injury” Jaylon Smith may now be lost for the entire 2016 NFL season.

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.

Smith has tremendous lateral speed, quick burst, and strong blitzing ability.

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He has a knack for storming the backfield and is a sure tackler with strong fundamentals.

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 three-down LB.

Smith played both zone coverage as well as man coverage. He appears equally as comfortable in both, making him even a possible fit in some 34 defenses. Jaylon stands only 6’2, but in coverage he appears much longer and covers a vast amount of territory.

What the film against Texas. He dominates and leads. He shows all of the characteristics and skills needed to succeed at the next level.

At the end of the day, Jaylon Smith’s draft profile means very little. Everyone knows how special a player he was. The only question about Jaylon Smith is – can he do it again?

The best linebacker in college football faces a very uncertain future. His knee, not surprisingly, has nerve damage that may or may not recover.

That’s not exactly the kind of news anyone was hoping for, yet, his eventual upside remains intact.

"“Jaylon will play in the NFL,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. “It’s just a matter of time. He’s going to come back from this injury, and when he does, he’s going to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He has that kind of ability.”"

However it shakes out with Smith, his draft stock is likely to take a nosedive. Smith, once seen as a possible #1 overall pick, now stands to fall deep in the draft. Someone will take a chance on this high potential player and could get an absolute steal if they are willing to be patient and roll the dice.

Next: Cowboys Complete 7-round Mock Draft

Said Jaylon Smith in his own words: “I could miss the entire season. Anything more definitive is just speculation. What I do know is this: Once I’m 100 percent healthy and feeling comfortable, I’ll be back on the field and dominating.”