Should Dolphins draft Jaylon Smith?

Prior to his injury, linebacker Jaylon Smith was the top linebacker prospect in this years draft. Now, his draft position could be anywhere. Should the Miami Dolphins look at Smith for the future?

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When it comes to injuries, especially serious knee injuries, it’s anyone’s guess how a player will respond both physically and emotionally. How long their rehab will take depends on may factors but one thing is universally believed when it comes to Jaylon Smith’s recovery. He will not play in 2016.

The fact that Smith will have to sit out the entire season has caused his draft stock to plummet. Where exactly isn’t known. Some project Smith to go in the mid to late round two while others forecast him to drop into round three and maybe even early round four. The team that selects him will have to wait until 2017 before they know if he will be the player he could have been prior to the injury.

This is where the Dolphins come into play. With an obvious need at linebacker for the now and the future, Smith could be a day two selection that makes sense even with the possibilities of him never playing a down for the team or possibly never getting his mental game past his injury.

The Dolphins have a lot of needs. Linebacker is only one of them. What Miami does in the first round will dictate what they do in round two and three. It’s likely that the Dolphins view the 2nd round as too high for a player that won’t play in 2016 but would they look at him in round three?

Miami needs starters. They need starters now and in the first three rounds. They need good competition in rounds four, five, and hopefully six. That means Smith isn’t an option if they want starters today rather than tomorrow. Smith’s potential however could put Miami in a position to spend a 3rd round pick on a very talented prospect.

While Smith could be gone by the time Miami selects in round three, the Dolphins should seriously consider him if he is on the board. Smith is the type of player that could electrify a defense and would be a long term solution to a problem that has lasted too long. Is there potential for Smith to not pan out? Of course but so would any other player in the 3rd round who would potentially challenge to start this year. The difference? Smith has the potential to be great.

Sometime potential is worth the risk and when it comes to Smith, the Dolphins need to keep that in their minds and on their draft board when they enter that 3rd round. If Smith is on the board, Miami needs to look at him as their future and not worry about the present. Miami says they are more than one player away from being great, Smith is one season away from helping Miami be great.

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