The Dallas Cowboys had six Pro Bowlers last season and a handful of snubs, so in any NFL top 100 list based on 2019, they should be expected to appear several times. When the list is the NFL’s own Top 100, it is even more imperative for America’s Team to be represented.
The NFL’s list is curated based on votes of the player’s themselves, and though over the years many of the participants have admitted to not taking the process too seriously, it’s still a high honor to be recognized by one’s peers. Thus far, the first 30 of the list have been revealed with, linebacker Jaylon Smith checking in at No. 88, and left tackle Tyron showing up in the next set.
Smith enjoyed his first Pro Bowl season in 2019, but drops 28 spots from his No. 61 ranking in last year’s list. Smith proved himself durable in 2019, however, posting a career-high 142 tackles while starting all 16 games for the second year in a row.
The specifics of Smith’s rankings are actually pretty accurate. Smith did not have nearly the same season he had in 2018, when he was a Pro Bowl snub. Playing without his partner-in-crime Leighton Vander Esch for most of the season, Smith racked up the tackles, but did not have the greatest season in coverage.
Smith’s Pro Football Focus coverage grade plummeted from a stellar 80.6 in 2018 down to a mediocre-at-best 60.8 in 2019. He allowed three touchdowns and was called for five penalties. With Vander Esch’s return and a switch to a new role in Mike Nolan’s defense, the hope is Smith can return to form, or even improve on where he was in 2018.
As for the tackle, Smith once again was among the league’s best, earning him position No. 76.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 2010’s All-Decade Team, Smith is one of the best blocking offensive tackles to ever play the game. A nine-year veteran, he has twice made first-team All-Pro. In 13 games at left tackle last season, the USC product allowed just one sack.
Though he only played in 13 games yet again, when he did play he was his great self again. Though he was dinged for eight penalties, close inspection shows he was being dinged for immaculate technique and ridiculous quickness.
Smith has been named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and looks to anchor another edition of one of the NFL’s best offensive lines with guard Zack Martin and right tackle La’el Collins.
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