I could see a team like the Panthers or Denver taking a flyer on him. They don't need him to step up in year one.
I disagree. Second and third round picks should be starters or at least significant contributors. Thanks to Tanny and Idiotzik, the Jets have had too many missed draft picks and too many traded away to be able to roll the dice in the 2nd or 3rd round. I hate it, but they need to go the safe route. The last thing we can afford is to use our 2nd on Smith, and then have him never play a down for us or to be a shadow of the player he was, and waste a year or two hoping he will be able to rebound, only for him not to. We need more picks, not fewer. Sure, if he panned out, it would be awesome, but the chances of that are probably pretty slim. In the 4th or 5th round, we could take a flyer on him, but not in the 2nd or 3rd. It's just too risky imo.
Just because it will take Smith a red shirt year to recover does not mean that the odds of a full recovery are all that low. Aside from maybe a less than 5% chance that his knee is totally screwed we get a guaranteed all star in year two. I would say that is much higher than our recent batting average including Millner, Ducasse, Wilson, etc.
If Mac takes him, I would agree that the chances of his recovery are probably greater, because I know that Mac will do his due diligence. I don't think you realize how serious nerve damage is. It's enough that his knee is going to have to be reconstructed. That alone can make him less mobile and fast, but the nerve damage is a wild card. If nerves regenerate, it takes time, and there's always an if involved.
I had issues with taking Gurley period. He's a great player, but I don't think it's worth it to take a RB in round 1 any more. His knee issues made him less desirable. Gurley didn't have nerve damage. One could figure Gurley would probably be ok, just might not have the same speed and power and might be more susceptible to future knee problems. With Smith, even after his torn ligaments are repaired/replaced, he's still going to have nerve damage. There's no surgery they can do for that.
Notre Dame is a very good school and I assume he took more than basket weaving to earn a degree there. All of us salivate like Pavlovian dogs when a big time prospect is out there to help the Jets but we mustn't forget players are one injury away from no career. The smarter ones take out insurance and the brightest foresee life after football and attend a decent school earning an employable degree. The percentage of ex players who are sports analysts, for example, is incredibly small. The NFL pushes Play 60 and St Jude's Charity (which I also give to) but the plug for education is nowhere to be seen. Concussion education yes but regular Ed no. Good luck Mr. Smith, I do hope you make it in life.
