RADIO
Jaylon Smith 2020 Outlook: Volume Tackler With A High Floor
5 years agoDallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith rewarded the team with another highly productive year after inking a $64 million extension before the 2019 season. The fourth-year linebacker had 142 tackles (83 solo), one interception, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 2.5 sacks, and six tackles for loss. Smith’s production was good for 224.6 points and a finish of LB10 and IDP player number 12 overall. Smith averaged 14 points per game in IDP settings. Mike Nolan will take over as the defensive coordinator for Mike McCarthy, the new head coach of the Cowboys. The Cowboys figure to employ a more diverse and aggressive defense under Nolan but should remain a base 4-3 scheme. The additions of Gerald McCoy and Dontari Poe at defensive tackle should also help keep Smith free to range and rack up tackles. An injury to Leighton Vander Esch may have helped boost Smith’s tackle numbers in 2019, but he was still able to get 121 tackles (82 solo) in 2018 when both players played in 16 games. Jaylon Smith hasn’t historically provided much outside of tackling, but his ability to be around the ball and making plays more than justifies his current status as IDP6 in the current RotoBaller rankings and makes him a safe pick in 2020.
