Online Football predictions have been touting former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith as a sure win for the Cowboys’ fourth overall pick. The issues arising from Smith’s health, however, suggest that this is no longer the case.
Voices in the industry have expressed their disappointment over Smith’s situation, Toddy McShay, an ESPN draft analyst, bringing this matter to light during a conference call on Tuesday.
Jaylon Smith’s situation, while not dire, is worth raising some concerns over. The former Notre Dame Linebacker tore the ACL and LCL in his knee at the end of this year’s Fiesta Bowl. Landing rather awkwardly during the game, rumors have been flying about the true extent of his injuries.
With the possibility of nerve damage arising, Smith has already gone under the knife, the reconstructive surgery he was subjected to likely to aid him in his efforts to return to peak physical shape. Regardless of his eventual recovery, Smith will miss the entire 2016 season.
No one can doubt the skill that Smith brings to the table, McShay going so far as to call him an obvious top-five talent. McShay went on to reference conversations he has had with professionals in the game, citing two managers that had expressed notable interest in Smith, calling him the best football player in the draft.
Smith’s star was clear from a relatively young age. In college, his athleticism and versatility shone through, allowing the young player to overwhelm his rivals and cement his future as a superstar in the game.
Having proven, on several occasions, that he could occupy any one of the three linebacker spots in the Cowboys’ defensive format, Smith’s injury has thrown a wrench into the gears of his plans for the future.
Of course, sports analysts have been known to exaggerate from time to time, especially when it comes to football stars and their injuries, and for good reason. The game is filled with nightmarish stories of careers brought to a screeching halt by seemingly insignificant bumps and collisions.
Admittedly, though, Jaylon Smith’s situation does merit the rumors of concern. You only need to talk to professionals in the industry, both managers and football players, to understand the seriousness of Smith’s injury.
According to McShay, while Smith’s overall future is largely shrouded in mystery, he doesn’t expect Smith to return to the field anytime soon, certainly not this year or even next year. And even if Smith makes a complete recovery and eventually returns to the game he loves, it is difficult to ascertain whether he could ever return to the levels of performance fans have become acclimated to.
The team that takes the linebacker would be taking notable risks as well. Different teams and their doctors have different protocols for such situations. For McShay, though, it will not be a surprise if they get to Day 3 and Smith is still on the board.
Smith’s surgery was performed by the Cowboy’s physician, Dan Cooper, so only Dallas knows the true nature of Smith’s situation.
With four sixth-round picks this year, if the Cowboys are still holding onto the hope that Smith could return to his old form in due time, they are likely to spend one on a player that might turn out to be the steal of the draft.
Some of you may know the Irish are my college football team I love to death, and to watch Jaylon’s career over the years, I can vouch that this playerhas the opportunity to be something special for the Cowboys.
Here are a few things I mentioned about Jaylon over the years while at Notre Dame:
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame. True freshman. Remember the name. #GoIRISH #NotreDame #ndfootball
— CowboysBlog.Net (@CowboysBlogNet) October 26, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@JaeeSmiff9ENT Jaylon Smith is going to be a player in the NFL. That’s some speed at LB. #NDvsMICH
— CowboysBlog.Net (@CowboysBlogNet) September 7, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Tarean Folston and Jaylon Smith will be playing on Sunday’s. Remember the names. #NDNation #NotreDame #NDvsNAVY
— CowboysBlog.Net (@CowboysBlogNet) November 2, 2014
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
