NFL Draft Bust-O-Meter: 5 rookies who will fail to meet expectations
By Jon Dove
Jaylon Smith, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Pick: 2nd Round No. 34 overall
Bust-O-Meter: 3.8 out of 5
Prior to his injury, Jaylon Smith was my top ranked player and someone capable of quickly developing into a star. He would’ve been a top-5 pick and someone asked to make an immediate contribution.
Unfortunately, Smith suffered a gruesome knee injury during Notre Dame’s Bowl game against Ohio State. The injury was so severe that there are still question about whether or not he’ll ever fully recover.
His injury obviously caused a draft day slide with many teams taking him completely off their board. However, the Dallas Cowboys felt comfortable enough to use their 2nd round pick to bring Smith into the mix.
This was a very interesting move by the Cowboys because they have their sights set on making a Super Bowl run but used a high pick to draft someone who is unlikely to play this season. This Cowboys roster is far from perfect and could’ve used someone capable of making an immediate impact.
Smith’s bust factor is based on the questions surrounding his long-term health, the fact that he was selected so early and that the Cowboys have needs at other positions. It’s reasonable to expect Smith to become a high-impact player as early as next season based on where he was drafted.
This is far from certain and it could very well be several years before Smith lives up to his draft status—if ever.
Next: Leonard Floyd