Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Jaylon Smith
The Kansas City Chiefs have always been a team that likes to have a tough defense. Could Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame continue that trend for the Chiefs in the 2016 NFL Draft?
The KC Chiefs could potentially be without Justin Houston‘s services for all of 2016. While that would really suck, it’s not a sign that the team needs to draft an outside linebacker early on. They re-signed Tamba Hali to a three-year deal, and, much to Chiefs fans’ dismay, Dee Ford is still on the roster.
Even if the team did need an outside linebacker to start in 2016, Jaylon Smith out of Notre Dame would not be the way to go.
As talented as the Fighting Irish linebacker is, he’s slated to miss the entire 2016 season due to a torn ACL during the Fiesta Bowl. Smith still decided to forego his senior season (probably since he wouldn’t be playing in college the entire year) and it’ll be interesting to see who decides to take a chance on him, knowing he’ll be out for his entire rookie year.
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Smith could not participate in the combine due to his injury, but there is definitely some upside to the kid. According to NFL.com, a former AFC defensive coach was quoted comparing Smith to one Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs.
"“He reminds me so much of DJ (Derrick Johnson) when he came out. Same frame, same speed and same playmaking ability. Both of those guys are made for the pro game.”"
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Despite Smith expected missing out on all of 2016, all four of the analysts at CBS Sports have him being selected in the first round. One has him going as early as pick 14 to the Oakland Raiders and the latest is at pick 26 to the Seattle Seahawks. If that’s the case, the KC Chiefs won’t even have to worry about drafting him, since they’re not on the clock until pick 28.
Jaylon Smith offers a lot of explosiveness off the line, and is a good tackler (he had 284 total during his three years with the Fighting Irish). What makes Smith such an interesting prospect, however, is his ability to fit perfectly into a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
While Jaylon Smith looks to be a talented linebacker, the Chiefs could already be without Justin Houston in 2016. If they’re going to go with an outside linebacker (or a linebacker period) in the first round of the draft, it would need to be someone who could come in and compete for a starting spot right away.
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If Smith somehow is still on the board in the second round, then Kansas City shouldn’t hesitate to draft him. The first round just doesn’t seem like a fit though.