Dallas Cowboys: Why isn’t Jaylon Smith discussed more?

One story that hasn’t gotten enough discussion this season has been the sensational play of Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith, who looks fully healthy nearly three years after knee surgery

One of the best prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft was Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith. Gifted with incredible speed and instincts, he was considered a game-changing defensive player, but then his career took a detour.

In his final collegiate game, Smith suffered a torn ACL and LCL and had to have surgery in Jan. 2016. The surgery repaired his knee, but subsequent nerve damage threatened his NFL career.

The Athletic Nashville reporter Travis Haney tweeted that many NFL scouts were scared off of Smith as there was a chance he would never be able to play again.

Scouts told me they fear Smith might be one of best pure prospects to never play in NFL. There's real concern. https://t.co/ijz3UEY5TZ
— Travis Haney (@travhaney) April 19, 2016

Then with the Dallas Cowboys on the clock at pick No. 34, they called on Smith. There was — as is always the case — some criticism of the Cowboys. Many wanted them to go Myles Jack instead who wouldn’t miss any time, but Dallas was comfortable with Smith and where he was in his recovery.

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The Cowboys team doctor performed the surgery, which is why they felt good with the move, even though they knew Smith would be unable to play in 2016.

As for 2017, there were some growing pains. Smith was still getting used to trusting his repaired knee and an ‘AFO’ brace was needed to help him deal with nerve issues. Even with the brace, Smith had 81 tackles and a sack. It was a great story, but he was far from the guy we saw at Notre Dame. 2018 though, has been different.

Smith looks like the stud we all saw at Notre Dame. He enters Week 17 with 116 tackles, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries — the second of which he had in Week 16 where he raced down the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown.

His first defensive score in his career was a huge reminder of how far he has come and is also a reminder that we aren’t giving enough credit to him for fighting back following such a devastating injury.

Part of the reason has to be the emergence of rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch who has been phenomenal this season. That doesn’t mean Smith hasn’t been just as vital to the success of the NFC East champion’s defensive resurgence.

Dallas made the right call going for Smith and he’s rewarding them for believing in him. And at just 23 years old, they will keep being repaid for years to come.