NFL teams must make long-term decision on injured Jaylon Smith
Poor Jaylon Smith.
The Notre Dame linebacker ranked among the best players in the 2016 NFL Draft. But that was before he tore the anterior cruicate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in his left knee in the Fiesta Bowl in January.
Now his future is uncertain.
“I can’t tell when I’ll be back, but I’ll be back 100 percent,” Smith said.
Reports surfaced of nerve damage in Smith’s knee, and he traveled to Indianapolis last week for medical rechecks.
Smith likely misses the 2016 season while rehabbing. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Cedric Ogbuehi in the first round last year although the Texas A&M offensive lineman tore an ACL in the bowl game. He played 65 snaps last season.
Smith might have to wait longer on draft day.
Yes, it takes courage, but it could turn out to be a wise decision.
Rams general manager Les Snead
who drafted Todd Gurley, on the mindset of selecting a top player who must rehab an injury.“Where his knee is and what the long-term prognosis is will [determine] where he gets drafted, and if you want to call it, is the risk worth the reward?” said Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead, whose team selected Todd Gurley while he was rehabbing a knee injury last year.
“He may not play any his rookie year, but if you think he’s a top-five talent, and [can] get to that level, year two, year three, year four. Yes, it takes courage, but it could turn out to be a wise decision.
“Like I’d tell Jaylon, whether you got hurt or not, it really doesn’t matter where you get drafted.”
Smith, in 39 starts at outside linebacker, made 293 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks while breaking up 11 passes and forcing three fumbles.
Smith continues to call himself “the best player in the draft.”
“It’s a long-term decision for whoever drafts me,” he said. “I’m a guy who will be around for a while playing at an elite level. An impact player. It’s great watching a guy like Todd Gurley do it last year and come back almost midseason and perform. It’s very encouraging.”
Charean Williams: 817-390-7760, @NFLCharean
Overview
It is a strong position, though knee injuries to Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith have hurt their stock. Plenty of talent can be found in every round. Ohio State’s Darron Lee and Alabama’s Reggie Ragland should be first-rounders, with Ohio State’s Joshua Perry, LSU’s Deion Jones and USC’s Su’a Cravens among the second-day picks.
Cowboys’ needs
Sean Lee, who has missed 36 games in his career, led the team with 156 tackles after moving from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker. It earned him his first Pro Bowl berth. The Cowboys re-signed Rolando McClain to man the middle after he had 97 tackles in 11 games last season. Anthony Hitchens made starts at all three positions last season, and he and Kyle Wilber, who started six games on the strongside, will compete for the starting job opposite Lee. Damien Wilson, a fourth-round pick in 2015, will get a chance to earn more playing time on defense this season.
Top five
Myles Jack, UCLA, 6-1, 245, NA: He has a radial meniscus tear in his right knee that is a concern, and at least some teams have eliminated him from first-round consideration.
Darron Lee, Ohio State, 6-1, 232, 4.47: He has played only two seasons at the position, but had 147 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in those 28 games.
Reggie Ragland, Alabama, 6-1, 247, 4.72: He likely plays inside linebacker in the NFL after making 222 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and four sacks mostly on the weakside.
Su’a Cravens, USC, 6-1, 226, 4.66: Some teams see him as a strong safety and others as a weakside linebacker.
Joshua Perry, Ohio State, 6-4, 254, 4.68: He started on the strongside one season and spent two seasons on the weakside, making 298 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Sleeper
Myke Tavarres, Incarnate Word, 6-1, 230, 4.79: He spent one season at Arkansas before making 110 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks last season.
Top Texas ties
Elandon Roberts, Houston, 5-11, 234, 4.60: He isn’t likely to be drafted, but becomes a priority free agent because of his 142 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and six sacks last season.
Source: Heights, weights and 40 times were compiled from CBS Sportsline analyst Dane Brugler.
NFL Draft
April 28-30, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
Schedule: Round 1, 7 p.m. April 28; Rounds 2-3, 6 p.m. April 29; Rounds 4-7, 11 a.m. April 30.
TV: ESPN and NFL Network.
Draft order:
1. Los Angeles Rams (From Tennessee)-
2. Philadelphia (From Cleveland)
3. San Diego
4. Dallas
5. Jacksonville
6. Baltimore
7. San Francisco
8. Cleveland (From Miami through Philadelphia)-
9. Tampa Bay
10. New York Giants
11. Chicago
12. New Orleans
13. Miami (From Philadelphia)
14. Oakland
15. Tennessee (From L.A. Rams)
16. Detroit
17. Atlanta
18. Indianapolis
19. Buffalo
20. New York Jets
21. Washington
22. Houston
23. Minnesota
24. Cincinnati
25. Pittsburgh
26. Seattle
27. Green Bay
28. Kansas City
29. Arizona
30. Carolina
31. Denver
Note: New England forfeited 29th overall pick.
This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 8:25 PM with the headline "NFL teams must make long-term decision on injured Jaylon Smith."