Jaylon Smith holds the key to the success of the Cowboys’ draft

12:18 AM ET

IRVING, Texas — If Jaylon Smith was healthy, there was a chance the Dallas Cowboys would not have been able to draft him.

And they held the fourth pick in the draft.

That’s how good a healthy Smith is. Or was.

And in Smith’s mind, how good he will be.

Smith, recovering from torn anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments, plus the damage to the peroneal nerve, called this the best time of his life even if it would seem otherwise.

“Because I’m going to be fine,” Smith said. “I’ll be able to play again. It’s just timing. Timing is everything and for Dallas to draft me, they’re going to get a great player. I’m looking forward to playing for a great team.”

The Cowboys’ first rounder, Ezekiel Elliott, might be one of the early favorites for rookie of the year, but Smith holds the key to the Cowboys’ draft. If, or when, the nerve regenerates, then the Cowboys believe they have a cornerstone player for their defense for years to come. It just won’t happen in 2016, no matter the optimism Smith has or owner and general manager Jerry Jones have.

Jones said he is “ready to take the pain for the gain on Smith because the upside is so big.”

“He jumps off when you watch him,” Jones said. “I don’t care who you are evaluating at Notre Dame, he just jumps off the tape. He is a very …

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