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Jaylon Smith or Myles Jack: Who has a better chance to succeed?

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As most NFL fans are aware, two of the most talented players in the 2016 draft class fell all the way out of the first round because of knee injuries.

In a surprising move, Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith was taken 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys and UCLA's Myles Jack was selected two slots later when the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to grab him with the 36th pick.

The two will likely be forever linked by this unique draft history, but who's in a better position to succeed?

Let's take a look at some of the factors that will effect the careers of the 2016 draft's two most talented linebackers:

Ability

Smith is a tackling machine that also has the athletic ability to play any linebacker position in any scheme. He racked up 225 tackles during his last two seasons at Notre Dame and was consistently in backfields - diagnosing and then blowing up run plays at will. He will immediately upgrade the Cowboys run defense from any position when he steps on the field.

Jack's positive reviews are invariably linked to his well-rounded athleticism. His ability to be equally adept in attacking ball carriers and pass coverage is a rare trait possessed by only a few elite NFL linebackers. If the Jags wanted to make him a situational pass-rusher he would likely have no problem converting to that role as well. There simply isn't anything he can't do on a football field.

Edge: While both could end up playing the same role as outside linebackers in a 4-3 scheme, the slight edge would go to Jack, who can do just a little bit more as a potential pass-rusher.

Knee Health

Chondral defect or nerve damage?

The nature of both injuries leave significant doubts about the overall health of two players that rely on sideline-to-sideline speed and agility to produce on the field.

Short term, Jack appears to be in better shape as there doesn't seem to be any doubt he'll play this season barring any other setbacks. Long term is another story.

Jack could need microfracture surgery at some point in the near future, leading some to cap his NFL lifespan at around four years. While a four-year career is still above average for an NFL player, a franchise can't comfortably build a defense around a player who's career could end at any point.

Shredding his knee in January, Smith tore his ACL and LCL, which led to nerve damage. While the prospect of diagnosing nerve injuries is a fruitless endeavor, Smith would be able to fully recover should his damaged nerve "wake up." The Cowboys seem optimistic that this will happen as does their team physician, Dr. Dan Cooper, who performed his surgery.

Edge: Short term it's Jack, but even he seems resigned to a short career at this point. Smith is more likely to be fully operational in two or three years and thus gets a slight edge.

Franchise/Situation

Historically speaking, the Cowboys are probably a safer bet for success but the Jags are a team on a major upswing.

In 2016, the Cowboys appear set inside with veterans Sean Lee, Rolando McClain and Anthony Hitchens holding down the starting jobs. On paper, Dallas is actually as well equipped as any team to redshirt Smith for his rookie season while he recovers. But Smith's future could be muddied by what the Cowboys decide to do next offseason. In other words, Jerry Jones could sign 10 linebackers, fire defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and take another stud inside linebacker in the 2017 draft, on a whim.

Jack will be able to cement his position in the middle of an improving Jacksonville defense this season, making it more likely he becomes a bigger part of future plans. Gus Bradley, a former linebackers coach, could accelerate Jack's development and make him an indispensable member of the defense immediately.

Edge: Jack gets the nod because the Jaguars' defense is a far more conducive environment for a rookie to grow and develop as the young team does.

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