Asked by reporters after his selection whether there is a chance he can play this year, Smith spun positive.
Advertisement
Dallas owner Jerry Jones proved once again – this time by taking Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith in the second round of the NFL Draft – that the Cowboys are always worth the price of admission. With Orlando Scandrick still working his way back from a serious knee injury, it really wouldn’t be surprising to see cornerback or pass rusher be the choice.
When Jaylon Smith is on the attack he’s hard to beat, he’s lightning quick and is one of the best form tacklers I’ve seen this year.
“I can’t answer that”, he said.
Smith, who is still going through rehab after reconstructive knee surgery, is expected to miss the entire 2016 season. It’s been insane, but bottom line I’m ready to go….
Watching from his hometown of Fort Wayne, the former Irish linebacker and captain went with the 3rd pick of the 2nd round and 34th overall selection to the Dallas Cowboys. There have been reports and speculation that this led to nerve damage in the knee, but those reports have not been confirmed by Smith or his doctors.
He ended up earning roughly $8.8 million in 2015 but faces the possibility of not playing for any team in 2016.
It has been an awesome two days for the Ohio State program and the players that have been selected.
When the draft concludes today with Rounds 4-7, defensive tackle Sheldon Day, receiver Chris Brown, defensive end Romeo Okwara and safety Elijah Shumate are poised to make Notre Dame’s 2016 draft class an even larger one.
Kelly said whichever team drafts Smith should “think of it as him being in college for another year”. This is the first time the two will ever play on the same team. “I’m young”, Smith said prior to the draft. Day two looks to be just as riveting.
Advertisement
Smith was chosen as the third pick in the 2nd round on Friday night. “I’ll tell you this much; it’s that carbon-copy phrase ‘best player on the board.’ We would have taken (Ragland) at 19, so that’ll let you know how high he was on our board”. However, if they were determined to find a quarterback this weekend then they may have to consider Connor Cook or Christian Hackenberg with their next pick.
