Michael Irvin has high hopes for Dallas Cowboys second-round pick Jaylon Smith, the linebacker out of Notre Dame.
Irvin said of Smith: “When I see this kid in Canton, I’m going to have him sign it for me. He’s the black Luke Kuechly,” per 105.3 The Fan’s Shan Shariff.
That’s high praise.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that things are always super exciting in Cowboys land during the offseason. Optimism bursts forth from owner Jerry Jones, and it rolls down like wildfire to everyone attached to the organization, including its fans.
There’s nothing wrong with that, and in Smith’s case, there is ample reason for being optimistic he’ll be a phenomenal NFL player.
There is a a gigantic road block that must be overcome first, however, before the linebacker can even hit the practice field, let alone start a Hall of Fame career.
Smith isn’t healthy. He’s recovering from a brutal ACL/MCL injury that also reportedly involves some potential nerve issues. Ligaments heal, but nerves are tricky. Because of this, it’s been reported he’ll miss the entire 2016 season in the hopes he can be 100 percent healthy after a redshirt campaign.
It’s worth mentioning Smith has as much confidence in himself as Irvin does. Even while sitting out the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Smith called himself “the best player in the draft.”
If he does have a Hall of Fame career, or anything close to it, then Jones will look like a genius for taking him in Round 2. If he ends up having similar issues to that of Marcus Lattimore, or has a career but doesn’t live up to his college hype, Jones’s risky move will receive plenty of criticism.