Jaylon Smith

Jaylon Smith

29-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Jaylon Smith in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
$Released by the Raiders in November of 2023.
Joins Pittsburgh's practice squad
LBFree Agent
December 27, 2023
The Steelers signed Smith to their practice squad Wednesday, Teresa Varley of the the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
An agreement between Pittsburgh and Smith was reported to be in the works Tuesday, and it's now become clear that it's a practice-squad deal. While Smith has played in just one game this season (in Week 9 with the Raiders), he has ample NFL experience, participating in 88 regular-season contests -- including 69 as a starter -- over seven campaigns and making one Pro Bowl appearance. Pittsburgh has already ruled out starting linebacker Elandon Roberts for Sunday's contest against Seattle, so it's feasible that Smith could be elevated to provide depth in that matchup.
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NFL Stats
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2022 NFL Game Log
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2024 Jaylon Smith Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Jaylon Smith's measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 2"
 
Weight
245 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.67 sec
 
Hand Length
9.50 in
 
Arm Length
33.00 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jaylon Smith See More
NFL Game Previews: Bills-Bengals Matchup
December 29, 2022
Erik Siegrist previews the Monday night matchup as Joe Burrow and the Bengals square off against the Bills in what could determine the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
IDP Analysis: Week 8 Review
IDP Analysis: Week 8 Review
October 31, 2022
October 31, 2022
With the return of Josey Jewell, Jonas Griffith should garner more snaps than Alex Singleton going forward as the No. 2 linebacker.
IDP Analysis: Week 5 Review
IDP Analysis: Week 5 Review
October 10, 2022
October 10, 2022
Isaiah Simmons put up his first fantasy viable performance of the season as he recorded a 13 tackles (eight solo) in the Week 5 loss to the Eagles.
2022 NFL Offseason Guide: NFC East
February 16, 2022
Philadelphia and Washington should both be in the market for veteran WR help this offseason, not to mention the market for QB trades.
IDP Analysis: Burns Falling
IDP Analysis: Burns Falling
January 3, 2022
January 3, 2022
Jordan Mazzara analyzes IDPs for the final week of the regular season, and on his falling list, he recommends taking a pass on Brian Burns against Tom Brady and the Bucs.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
If Smith's role remains the same as it has the last two years then move him up the rankings. The question is whether that role is truly safe, especially in light of Dallas drafting linebacker mega-prospect Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick this year. Parsons is a threat to take up a bigger share of the defense than the retired Sean Lee did, and that's before you account for how free-agent pickup Keanu Neal fits in at linebacker. If Parsons and Neal stay to the side, though, then Smith is still the same guy who produced 296 tackles the last two years.
Smith is a strong LB2 IDP with LB1 upside, but it's probably best to assume some regression in his 2020 tackle production. That's because teammate and fellow linebacker Leighton Vander Esch piles up tackles at a significantly higher rate than Smith, and it's likely that Vander Esch's neck injury from last year is the primary reason Smith posted a career high 142 tackles in 2019 after finishing the 2018 season with 121. Still, Smith's IDP value should withstand any potential tackle regression given his steady contributions as a blitzer, totaling 6.5 sacks over his last 1,991 snaps.
It's implausible for linebacker teammates to rank in the top 10 for IDPs, but Smith produced at a torrid pace last year alongside Leighton Vander Esch. His 120 tackles came on a sustainable 976 snaps, and his rookie year rate was even better (81 on 578 snaps). Vander Esch's arrival explains the drop in 2018, so it's best to expect that tackle rate rather than the rookie-year one, but Smith's pass-rushing talent (four sacks last year) helps offset any concern. Smith should keep improving as he shakes off rust from his awful injury at Notre Dame.
A brutal knee injury involving nerve damage threw Smith's career into some question about 2.5 years ago, but his performance last year gives hope that he will prove Dallas right for gambling on him in the second round of the 2016 draft. Smith was eased into the lineup last year playing 578 snaps, but his 81 tackles were a high total for that workload. While it can't be assumed that he'll take on a true three-down role, especially after the first-round selection of Leighton Vander-Esch, Smith should still hit triple-digit tackles if he approaches 800 snaps.
It's anyone's guess whether Smith actually plays this year, and in the event that he does, it's fair to wonder if he'll be healthy enough to stay on the field. The talented Notre Dame product was on track for a place in the first 10 picks of the 2016 draft before a profoundly bad knee injury tore ligaments and caused nerve damage, but going into the summer there has only been optimism surrounding his recovery. If he's able, he will likely start at middle linebacker, which would give him a considerable ceiling to offset the subterranean floor.
A devastating knee injury that included nerve damage ended a fantastic college career for Smith and took him out of a possible top five draft spot, but the Cowboys were comfortable enough with the risks involved that they selected him early in the second round anyway. It'll be a long hard road to recovery for the linebacker, with no guarantee at the end that he'll be able to return to form, but if he does the Cowboys will have a dynamic, game-changing player in the middle of their defense. Don't expect to see him on the field in 2016, though.
More Fantasy News
Heading to Pittsburgh
LBFree Agent
December 26, 2023
Smith and the Steelers agreed on a contract Tuesday, Doug Hendrickson of Wasserman reports.
ANALYSIS
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Signs with Las Vegas
LBLas Vegas Raiders
November 2, 2023
The Raiders signed Smith off the Saints' practice squad Thursday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
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Kicked to curb
LBFree Agent
August 29, 2023
Smith was released by the Saints on Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
ANALYSIS
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May have secured roster spot
LBNew Orleans Saints
August 28, 2023
Smith is trending toward making New Orleans' final 53-man roster following Sunday's 17-13 preseason loss to the Texans, according to Luke Johnson of NOLA.com.
ANALYSIS
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Finds new home
LBNew Orleans Saints
August 10, 2023
Smith signed with the Saints on Thursday, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Likely to be active in Week 17
LBPittsburgh Steelers
December 26, 2023
Smith joined the Steelers' practice squad Tuesday but will likely be added to the active roster in Week 17, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Smith has appeared in one game this season for Las Vegas back in Week 9. He logged 25 defensive snaps and tallied two tackles, but he could be in line for a more significant role with the Steelers. Pittsburgh has lost a number of inside linebackers this season, most recently Elandon Roberts to a pectoral injury, leaving the team with only four healthy players at the position.
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