Jaylon Smith Update

According to Ian Rapoport, Jaylon Smith's nerve issue is still similar to the same results as they were the first time they checked.

Teams are still reviewing info on #ND LB Jaylon Smith (knee) after rechecks. But I'm told his report wasn't much different from the Combine.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2016

 Looking at Jaylon Smith's game tape he is a sure fire top 10 pick without the injury and most teams have all the right in the world to drop him off their board if he doesn't get full use of his leg again. I on the other hand see this as a golden opportunity for a team that is willing to take the risk and I am saying that team should be the bucs. Smith was seen wearing an AFO, better known as an Ankle Foot Orthosis which is usually used for a condition called foot drop, where you have difficulty lifting the front part of your foot during walking. If Jaylon Smith were older and weaker this would be a major problem but his quads and hamstrings are more than strong enough as he already is squatting over 400 lbs and leg pressing 600. His main issue will be ankle stability moving forward as he hopes all the nerve innervation comes back which can usually take up to a year. This ankle stability issue can be helped simply by taping his ankle during games.

Looking at the Bucs current roster Smith would be an excellent pick up if he were available in the 3rd round as he would be able to have the year of rest he needs behind a more than capable Daryl Smith. Some team will be getting an all around player late in Jaylon Smith as most definitely he will fall come draft day. Hopefully Jason Licht see's the risk reward with Jaylon Smith and runs with it.

Jaylon Smith Would Be A Steal In The 2nd

Heading into this year's NFL draft, Notre Dame's linebacker Jaylon Smith was regarded by most as a top five player, some even thought he was the best player in the draft. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah is a big believer in Smith, and shared a video displaying Smith's great tackling technique.

Notre Dame LB Jaylon Smith...this should be a teaching tape. https://t.co/xraShjozVH

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) June 13, 2015

Now this was all before Smith suffered an major knee injury, tearing his ACL and LCL ligaments during the Fiesta Bowl vs Ohio State.  Then to make matters worse during the NFL combine medical exam, teams found out that he could have possible nerve damage in the peroneal nerve which helps aid movement and supply sensation to the lower leg, foot, and toes. If true that could derail Smith's rookie season and could possibly be career ending. After hearing that news, some NFL teams took Smith completely off their draft boards, raising the question of how far could Smith fall in the upcoming draft.

Well good news came from Notre Dame's pro day, as Jaylon Smith told reporters that he is getting stronger, and has been leg pressing over 600lbs and squatting 400lbs during his rehab per Eric Edholm of yahoosports.com.

“Rehab is going great. I am leg-pressing over 600 pounds right now. I am squatting over 400 pounds. I am getting that strength back. It’s just a matter of time.”

It sure looks like Smith is on his way to full recovery, and he also did 24 bench press reps of 225 which matched top ten prospect LT Ronnie Stanley. Smith has a medical re-check on April 14-15th which will tell us more, but this is a great start for Smith.

I will say this if the Bucs doctors feel comfortable with Smith and he passes their tests, Gm Jason Licht needs to find a way to get him on this team. If the Bucs decide to trade down out of the top ten, Smith should be one of the options to take, or for some reason he falls to the second round there should be no hesitation to take him with that selection. Smith is a great player on the field, and even better person off it, he loves the game and would be a instant impact player for this team. If for some reason, he cant play during the 2016 season, he could still have an impact according to former teammate Jarret Grace.

“He can pick up on defenses and teach his position, coach everyone around him,” Grace said. “If you’re not going to have his presence on the field, you’re going to have someone who is very detail-oriented in the locker room. If he wasn’t in class, he was trying to soak up as much football as he could. He didn’t want to have to rely on his athletic ability.

“You see plenty of tremendous athletes out there, popping off crazy numbers at the combine and stuff. But he has that and the other side, the [intangible] side. An 80 percent Jaylon Smith is going to be better than everyone else in the draft.”

Jaylon Smith would make the Bucs linebacking core one of the best in the league, and Smith could provide edge rush as well, playing similar to the way Von Miller plays for the Broncos. Smith is a tremendous athlete and player, if good news comes from his medical re-check, he deserves a look from the Bucs maybe as high as 9th overall.

Would the Bucs Go Linebacker with First Pick

Jason Licht has made it known that he strongly believes about building through the draft and always staying true to his board. So what happens if on draft day one of the top linebackers falls down to his spot?

Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith may be two of the top 5 players in this draft and both are coming off of knee injuries that may have them drop in the draft. Would Jason Licht take a position that the Bucs don't need? Lavonte David and Rookie sensation Kwon Alexander have two of the three linebacker spots on lock down and the other is up for grabs. But in todays NFL, teams go into so many 3 wide receiver sets, the third linebacker is rarely on the field. So the answer should be an easy no, right?

Well if you think about the defense Mike Smith said he would run, you could argue that anything could happen. Smith has gone on record stating he would keep things much more flexible, per Rick Stroud of tampabaytimes.com

"You can't line up in the same look and the same front every time. So we're going to have a lot of flexibility and identify what players are capable of doing and try to give different looks to the quarterback. Because if the quarterback has time in this league, he's going to be a guy who's going to be able to cut you up so we've got to do a very good job of putting together a package that is flexible, multiple, yet simple for our players and complex to the quarterback and the opposing coaching staff."

  "We're going to base out of a four-man front. But again, if you play in a four-man front, you over-shift and you're in a 3-4," Smith said. "If you start in a 3-4 and you over-shift, you're in a 4-3."

So he's leaving a lot of options open with his statement of "flexibility". Looking at the caliber of the two linebackers you could say there is room for discussion. Both of them are natural athletes and can run like a running back. Myles Jack actually played running back for UCLA on occasion. Taking a linebacker of their quality could open up opportunities as both can cover and provide strong rushes. I wouldn't be surprised if Licht took one if they slid to our pick. More analysis of Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith to come to show how they can be a fit.