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Jaylon Smith, OLB
School: Notre Dame | Conference: FBS Independents
College Experience: Junior | Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Height/Weight: 6-3 / 240 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
20 3 1Player Overview
Smith’s draft stock took a hit on New Year’s Day when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in the Fighting Irish’s Fiesta Bowl loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but still he opted to declare early for the 2016 NFL Draft. He is recovering after surgery and expected to miss the 2016 season, but still has an immense skill-set that will have teams considering him in the first round.A player who Irish coach Brian Kelly said is the best he has ever coached, Smith was a consensus All-American in 2015. He tied his career high with 9.0 tackles for loss to go along with a career-high 115 tackles, a sack, five passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 13 games before suffering his knee injury. That came on the heels of 111 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and a pair of passes defensed as a sophomore.
Smith is a freakish athlete who makes plays on the football field that few others at the college level are capable of making. He has the range, instincts and competitive drive that makes him a highly sought after NFL prospect.
Notre Dame’s top tackler from 2014, Smith made most of the defensive calls as a true sophomore and separated himself as one of the top NFL prospects in the country.
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: He is a greased up athlete with natural twitch and flexibility, showing balance, burst and excellent speed in pursuit. Scouts are enthralled with Smith’s explosiveness and it isn’t difficult to understand why.He reads plays quickly and keeps his eyes glued on the ball to collect himself in space and burst toward the ballcarrier with excellent closing speed. Shows tremendous secondary quickness to unhook himself from blocks and make up ground in a flash.
He might be the nation’s most forceful tackler, generating incredible power to knock ballcarriers back. Smith is every bit as fast and fluid as he is powerful, however, slipping by (or leaping over) would-be blockers in the running game and dropping effectively in coverage.
It is the ability to play back in coverage and rush the passer that makes Smith such an exciting prospect, as proponents of the 4-3 and 3-4, alike, will see him as a true three down defender.
WEAKNESSES: Smith lacks elite take-on strength for the position and can be late to stack-and-shed. Will take some false steps and needs to add a dash of discipline to his playing recipe. Needs to tweak his strike zone and tackling mechanics, preferring to hug-and-slam instead of spearing and driving.
Needs to do a better job finding the ball in coverage once his back is turned to the quarterback. Suffered a devastating left knee injury in his final collegiate contest that required surgery (Jan. 2016) to repair a torn ACL and LCL.
IN OUR VIEW: In today’s ultra-specialized NFL, defenses routinely substitute powerful linebackers on running downs and faster, more agile defenders on obvious passing plays. Teams won’t have to swap Smith out, however. He started all 39 games the last three seasons, but in a cruel twist of fate, Smith suffered a serious knee injury in the Fiesta Bowl, putting his draft stock in limbo based on his rehab.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2082844/jaylon-smith
If I really wanted the best MLB I could get, I would draft this guy, Jaylon Smith. Like Gurley though, he wouldn’t be ready to start year one. You might even have to red shirt him a year.
Agamemnonhttps://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2016/02/29/draft-3-major-takeaways-from-the-combines-defensive-back-workouts/
3 major takeaways from the combine’s DB workoutsSteve Palazzolo shares his evaluation from the final day of the NFL scouting combine.
Day 4 of the NFL combine concludes with the defensive backs — always a position where athleticism can blind evaluators during the process. It certainly helps to see quality 40 times and change of direction skills from the defensive backs, but corners still have to play with great technique and safeties are useless unless they read the play and take proper angles.
Perhaps most important, just like any position, we’d like to see players that “play fast” on tape also run fast on the track. A number of players did just that. Here are the top takeaways from the defensive back workouts:
William Jackson III is a first-round caliber playerJust as we highlighted earlier, Jackson III may be the best cornerback in the entire draft, and we felt that way before he ran a 4.37 40 at six-foot, 189 pounds. We expected him to run well as the big corner has fantastic movement skills on film, whether in a straight line or when changing direction. He posted the second-highest coverage grade in the draft class last season at +17.3, and perhaps most impressive, there is room to grow to his game. He’s inconsistent in press, from both a physicality and technique standpoint, so he hasn’t yet reached his potential. Given Jackson’s current production, combined with his size and athleticism, he may just develop into the best corner in the draft a few years down the road.
Jalen Ramsey has all of the necessary tools to be the best player in the draftJackson has to answer to Ramsey, however, who proved his worth as a top-five caliber pick. He ran the seventh-fastest 40 at 4.41 to go with the top vertical and broad jumps among defensive backs. This backs up what we’ve seen from Ramsey the last few years as he has the deep speed to play outside cornerback, but also the lower body explosion and length to compress the field as a short zone player. Given this all-around skillset, Ramsey could develop into the draft’s best player if he can continue to take advantage of a size/speed combination that allows for growth in man coverage. I still think his best fit is as a versatile chess piece in a diverse defensive scheme, allowing the defense to take advantage of all Ramsey has to offer.
Eli Apple also helped himself, now he just has to find the ballWith a 40 time at 4.40 at 6-1, Apple also showed the size and speed that the NFL is looking for in their press man corners. He may be the best in the class from a press standpoint, playing sticky coverage but still surrendering catches as he doesn’t always find the ball in the air and has proven susceptible to back-shoulder throws. While it may be anecdotal, this is the same issue that Buffalo Bills rookie CB Ronald Darby had coming out of Florida State last year, and he went on to improve in this area on his way to PFF Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. The inability to find the ball, along with shoddy open-field tackling, was a big reason Apple posted only the 24th-best coverage grades in the draft class, though he may excel if given an opportunity to play pure press man coverage in the right system.
AgamemnonNFL
Find this article at:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000645112/article/mayock-jason-taylor-a-good-comparison-for-leonard-floyd
Mayock: Jason Taylor a good comparison for Leonard FloydBy Chase Goodbread
College Football 24/7 writer
Published: March 16, 2016 at 08:12 p.m.
Updated: March 16, 2016 at 09:52 p.m.Leonard Floyd has the first-step explosiveness, length and speed that NFL clubs prefer in pass rushers off the edge; the concern for NFL scouts on the Georgia linebacker is whether he’ll have the size and power needed to go with it at the pro level. If he does, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock thinks former Miami Dolphins star Jason Taylor makes for a good comparison on Floyd’s potential.
The comp was actually made by former New England Patriots center Damien Woody, but it was one Mayock signed off on via Twitter. Mayock devoted a series of tweets to Floyd on Wednesday, in fact, noting the concerns about his ability to play a more physical style in the NFL.
Floyd didn’t get much of a chance to show off his skills on Wednesday at Georgia’s pro day. He contracted food poisoning, according to NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt, and was forced to cut his workout short. That meant he was unable to go through position drills, which typically come at the end of pro day workouts.
To be sure, he felt more Jason Taylor-like at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, where he ran a 4.60 40-yard dash, turned in a 39-5-inch vertical jump, and leaped 10-7 in the broad jump to entrench himself as one of the draft’s most athletic pass rushers.
If Floyd is able to assemble a Taylor-like NFL career, the team that drafts him will no doubt be thrilled. Taylor played 15 pro seasons, amassing 139.5 sacks, notching double-digit sacks six times.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
AgamemnonNFLDraftScout.com
2016 NFL Draft: Team needs exceed linebacker inventory
By Frank Cooney | NFLDraftScout.com
March 17, 2016 3:57 pm ETTo satisfy a craving for quarterback-sacking edge players, NFL teams will gamble on a pair of injured underclassmen — UCLA’s Myles Jack and Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith — among the top four outside linebackers in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Jack, still not 100 per cent after his knee surgery last September, and Smith, whose New Year’s day ACL/LCL injury may cause him to sit out 2016, are tempting for teams who marvel at their mad skills. Well, when healthy.
So despite their obvious physical issues, Jack and Smith are two big names in a class of outside linebackers that is above average. But it is less than enough for a greedy gaggle of NFL teams that want to emulate the menacing defense of the Super Bowl 50 Champion Denver Broncos.
But there are no Von Miller look-alikes on the near horizon. However, three outside linebackers are expected to be drafted in the first round and six within the first two, according to rankings by NFLDraftScout.com.’
Joining Jack as a first-round prospect are two speed demons — Ohio State’s Darron Lee and Georgia’s tall and talented Leonard Floyd. Expected to go in the second round after Smith are Ohio State’s productive Joshua Perry and Southern California’s intriguing Sua Cravens.
Traditional inside linebackers continue seem like a breed headed for extinction in the pass-happy NFL. And the college prospects appear to follow suit, with another so-so group that features Alabama’s throwback thumper, Reggie Ragland, as the only prospect ranked in the first round by NFLDraftScout.com.Here is a closer look at linebackers ranked in the top 100, and a shopping list of those NFLDraftScout.com ranks within the overall top 350:
Outside linebackers
Pos/Overall Rnk, Player, College, Hgt, Wgt, 40 Time, Proj. Rd.1/5. *Myles Jack, UCLA, 6-1, 245, 4.56, 1
Still don’t know Jack: Projecting this intriguing prospect’s ability to play in the NFL is still tricky. The world still waits to make sure this talented player is ready for football again after a knee injury in September. He declared for the draft in October and began rehabbing to be ready to work out at the Indianapolis Combine, but only benched there (19 reps, 225 pounds). At his March 15 Pro Day, Jack was impressive with a 40-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-4-inch standing broad jump, but did not run the 40 and only took part in some positions drills. An NFL coach told NFLDraftScout.com, “He was obviously not 100 percent. Not bad, but if you are thinking about him in the top five or 10, you are not comfortable yet.” Otherwise, Jack is potentially the best player/athlete in the draft. Scouts rave about him while poring over videos from two sensational seasons on both sides of the ball. His 75 tackles in 2013 are second only to the great Kenny Easley among true freshmen in Bruins history. He also broke up 11 passes, blocked a punt and scored seven touchdowns as a running back. Jack became the only player in Pac-pick-a-number history selected as offensive AND defensive freshman of the year. As a sophomore, he added 88 tackles and ran for three touchdowns on offense. In his two years he was very special at linebacker, with a magical combination of athleticism and instinct.
Quote to Note: “I see myself as a football player. I want the teams to decide for themselves. I feel like I can play any position. I like being off the ball as a Mike, Will, Sam. I think I could play strong safety as kind of a Kam Chancellor type of role. I feel like I could get the job done there.” — Jack, at Indy Combine, projecting his potential in the NFL when healthy.
Frankly: Full recovery from these knee surgeries is very good these days. Still, these players do not come with guarantees. While it will be a roll of the dice on Jack, the odds on a great return, in the All-Pro area, seem very good.2/12. *Darron Lee, Ohio State, 6-1, 232, 4.47, 1
Fleet afoot: A former high-school quarterback, Lee moved to defense in college and showed great promise at linebacker beginning in 2014. Lee used explosive quickness and great range to put himself in the middle of more than his share of plays. In 2014, Lee made 81 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks and two interceptions. He was named Defensive MVP in the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Last season, Lee totaled 66 tackles, 11 TFL including 4.5 sacks. Lee further quantified his athleticism at the Combine. His 40 time of 4.47 was best among linebackers and a broad jump of 11-2 was second best overall and demonstrates tremendous explosion.
Quote to Note: “I feel linebackers are changing in the league, to be honest – a lot smaller. There aren’t really too many bigger guys. The game is getting faster and you need guys to cover. You’re starting to see that change a lot this year in the league.” — Lee, when asked if he represented a new breed of NFL linebackers.
Frankly: Lean and sometimes mean, Lee has the ability to get into a lot of plays in the pass-happy NFL, either in coverage or on blitzes. He may need to bulk up to hold up, but should be productive in the right setup. Although still learning the nuances in the front seven (“I’m still learning linebacker”), Lee’s physical abilities will yield results if he is just pointed in the right direction for a while. Big upside.3/24. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia, 6-6, 244, 4.60, 1
The Skinny on Speedy: Lean and lanky, Floyd is a speed demon who erases distance in a blur of motion. If he doesn’t get to the quarterback, his long arms and massive wingspan (80 5/8th inches) are still a barrier. A vertical jump of 39.5 inches at the Combine shows further extension. He parlays that speed (4.60 in 40 yards at Indy), length and excellent athleticism as a pass rusher and in pursuit of ball carriers anywhere on the field. It might be notable that Floyd’s progression is going the wrong way, with 6.5 sacks in 2013, 6.0 in 2014 and 3.5 last year. The nearby Atlanta Falcons had 17 staffers at Floyd’s March 16 Pro Day but were disappointed when he did not participate in all positional drills. The Falcons select No. 17 and want to evaluate his pass-rush skills. Floyd has done little to address curiosity about his strength. A pec injury kept him off the bench at Indy and he passed again at his Pro Day and set dates for private team workouts.
Quote to Note: “A big strength of my game would be my speed. A weakness would probably be me (not) having more than one pass rush move. I can work on it and come up with a new move that I can go to rather than just using speed.”
Frankly: Floyd flashed skills as a quick, limber pass rusher, but there are questions about how consistent he can be in the NFL. His natural strength is suspect, but his athletic ability and closing speed are tantalizing. Floyd should bulk up, gain strength to expect sustained effectiveness against the big boys.4/40. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame, 6-2, 223, 4.67, 1-2
Bad timing: Smith’s draft stock took a hit on New Year’s Day when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral collateral ligament in the Fighting Irish’s Fiesta Bowl loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. He is recovering after surgery and might miss the 2016 season. Before his injury, Smith was an every-down linebacker who held up against running plays and showed great instincts covering receivers. Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly called Smith the best linebacker he ever coached. When healthy, Smith is a freakish athlete who makes plays that few in college could duplicate. Notre Dame’s top tackler since 2014 quickly separated himself as a top NFL prospect with a display of crazy closing speed that usually ended with a violent hit.
Quote to Note: “No, the nerve wasn’t stretched at all. It’s just the healing game, that’s all. It’s a process. I’ll be back 100 percent. We just don’t know when.” — Smith at the Combine, six weeks after surgery for torn left ACL and LCL.
Frankly: Before the knee injury this was a no-brainer. Now, some team must want Smith enough to spend a high draft pick and possibly let him rehab during 2016. When last seen on the field, Smith had the range, awareness and competitive drive that will make him a success in the NFL.5/49. Joshua Perry, Ohio State, 6-4, 254, 4.68, 2
Lost in the crowd: Perry was the unsung hero in Ohio State’s 2014 National Championship season. He led that team with 124 tackles, distancing himself from the runner-up by 32. Perry has remarkable read-and-react instincts and is relentless to a fault. His single-minded, torpedo-like approach sometimes runs him out of the play. Otherwise, he has textbook techniques in taking on the correct side of a blocker or knowing exactly where to shoot a gap. Perry dropped out of Senior Bowl workouts with groin injury. Limited at the Combine by a pulled hamstring, Perry managed a 40-yard time of 4.68 and a 33.5 vertical, but his best marks were natural — arms this short (-) of 34 inches and a nice wingspan of 81.5. Oh, and Perry was bald after shaving off his dreadlocks. He sat out Ohio State’s March 11 circus of a Pro Day.
Quote to Note: “I guess you want to get down to production because every team is looking for productive guys, so a guy that can make tackles but just being a bigger guy, a guy that can thump. … We played on a fast defense with some really good athletes out there but I think people kind of undersell my athleticism a little bit.” — Perry, when asked about his NFL qualities.
Frankly: Perry is a great team player who will light up opponents on the field and ignite teammates in the locker room. He will be a favorite for some NFL team in 2016, even if all he does is blow up opponents on special teams.6/57. *Sua Cravens, Southern California, 6-1, 226, 4.58, 2
Little Big Man: Cravens arrived at USC as a well-known player after three years as a Max-Prep All American and USA Today’s High School Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He graduated high school a year early to enroll at USC, which first lined him up at strong safety. Cravens’ football instincts, athleticism and awareness are reminiscent of former USC and Pittsburgh Steelers star Troy Polamalu. The Trojans eventually moved Cravens closer to the line as a hybrid DB/LB, where his football IQ and heavy hands raise havoc and cause turnovers. Cravens can demolish a run, sack the quarterback, cover a receiver and pretty much whatever else he wants. Last season, he led USC with 86 tackles, 15 TFL, including 5.5 sacks, and made two interceptions. Cravens chose not to run or lift at the Combine so scouts will look him up at USC’s March 23 pro day.
Quote to Note: “At this point it doesn’t really matter where I see myself at. It all depends on the team that drafts me. I feel whether it’s safety or linebacker, I can play the position. I learned it pretty well, the linebacker position, and I feel like I can still go back and get in the back-pedal at safety. It all depends on what the team wants.” — Cravens, when asked what position he sees himself playing in the NFL.
Frankly: Never mind what position, just call him a football player, give him a uniform, sic him on the opposing offense and enjoy. Cravens comes from a gene pool that includes cousin Jordan Cameron and distant relatives Manti Te’o and David Fulcher. Agamemnon
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