The Dallas Cowboys have concluded their OTAs in preparation for the 2018 season. Moving into mini camp next week, we've already learned a lot about the team's thinking for players both new and old. Somewhere in the middle of this is Linebacker Jaylon Smith. Despite taking significant strides at the end of last season, the Cowboys were not prepared to enter this year with only Smith and Sean Lee as “reliable” options.
Adding 19th overall pick Leighton Vander Esch to the mix, the Cowboys were up front about their need to add depth and play making ability at linebacker. This isn't to say that anything they get out of a surging Jaylon Smith won't be deeply appreciated. Using Smith as a pass rusher and SAM linebacker through practices thus far, the Notre Dame product was all over the field in the Cowboys final OTA practice, stepping up admirably in the absence of both Vander Esch and Lee.
Cowboys' rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch did not take part in Wednesday's OTA because of a sprained ankle. It's not anything serious but there was no need to make it worse through an OTA. The other players not practicing today were: Sean Lee,… https://t.co/jwJlmmTf8y
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) June 6, 2018
All three players are on course to be on the field together again soon, but the confidence Smith can gain from being “the guy” for a day is immense. Just how prepared the Cowboys are to deal with the potential loss of Sean Lee shouldn't fall entirely on the shoulders of their rookie out of Boise State.
The same is of course said about fringe players like Justin March-Lillard, who also had a strong practice performance in taking advantage of the injuries above him.
Even with Vander Esch potentially getting the nod over Smith at MIKE linebacker in Nickel situations, a healthy Jaylon Smith will do everything to make his impact felt. Where LVE is more of a finesse player with above average pass covering traits, Smith can excel as the Cowboys enforcer against the run.
Jaylon Smith was flying around today. Was making so many stops in the run game that RB coach Gary Brown was jokingly telling him to chill out
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 6, 2018
It was September 10th, 2017 that the Cowboys unwavering commitment to Jaylon Smith was rewarded. Their second round pick from the previous year's draft suited up for his first game against the New York Giants.
Smith went on to play a remarkable 16 game season, getting noticeably stronger as the games went by.
There likely wasn't a Cowboys coach or trainer not taken back slightly by seeing Smith continue his journey to live up to every expectation Dallas has put on him yesterday. If they never thought he was good enough (a consensus first round talent before his injury), the Cowboys wouldn't have praised Smith all through his rehab to get on the field for America's Team – something he's doing now at a standout level.
Unless there is legitimate concern that the Cowboys deep stable of running backs, lead again by Ezekiel Elliott, are actually under performing than Wednesday afternoon was a fantastic day at The Star for Jaylon Smith.
It's in my blood I feel it runnin' in every vein. I'm from the mud. I am a missile like a scud. What's really good, I'm bout to ruckus like Fud. And I stayed on my flow and #ClearEyeView like a rug 💯 @LilTunechi pic.twitter.com/sSpSLgB5xM
— Jaylon Smith (@thejaylonsmith) June 7, 2018
