Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Smith is a very special talent

The Dallas Cowboys took a risk on linebacker Jaylon Smith in the 2016 NFL Draft. Hopefully, we get to see him on the field sooner rather than later…

The Dallas Cowboys already have gotten a great return on their investments in the 2016 NFL Draft, including perhaps the best running back in the NFL in Ezekiel Elliott. Along with Elliott, the Cowboys drafted Dak Prescott, who looks like their franchise quarterback, and a stud defensive tackle in Maleik Collins who had five sacks his rookie year.

Former Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith was also part of the Cowboys’ class of 2016, but he got a ‘medical redshirt’ as it were in his rookie season. Smith suffered a horrible leg injury in his final collegiate game, and some compared the injury initially to the one suffered by former South Carolina star running back Marshon Lattimore.

Lattimore’s injury didn’t prevent him from being drafted, but it did turn out to be a career-ending injury, which was the worst fear for Smith as well.

For the last year-plus, Smith has been working tirelessly to get back onto the field, and prove that the Cowboys made the right decision by drafting him high in the second round. Cowboys fans recently got a look at one of their prized young prospects in his helmet, working out on the field at OTAs…

At this point in the process, it’s easy to forget just how good Jaylon Smith is as a football player. This is someone that was being talked about as a top five draft choice and was earning comparisons to one of the great linebackers in recent memory — Patrick Willis.

Smith is one of the most well-rounded linebackers I can remember scouting, but it was his game speed that stuck out the most to me.

Hopefully, Smith can get back to flying around the field as soon as possible. He’s definitely got All-Pro potential, and we’d love to see him back at 100 percent. With Sean Lee already starring for the Cowboys at inside linebacker, Smith would be a luxury that could propel the Cowboys’ defense to a new level in 2017.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft Update

"“Where he sits today he is definitely going to be a big contributor for us,” (Cowboys EVP Stephen) Jones said recently on KESN ESPN 103.3 FM. “What our medical people believe, he should only improve. He gets more and more nerve functions every day. He is only going to get better. As we watch him move and gain confidence, it’s certainly encouraging. We just believe he is going to be a big time contributor for the Dallas Cowboys.”Star-Telegram, original link"

That is some big time news for the Dallas Cowboys, if true.