After a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine and receiving positive feedback, former Cardinal WR Jaylen Smith was hoping to have his name called in this past weekend’s NFL Draft.
The 2019 NFL Draft took place in downtown Nashville this past weekend changing the lives of many young men and their families forever. For many others, they didn’t get to hear that dream come true. Unfortunately for Cards fans, one of those players who didn’t get their moment was former Louisville football star wide receiver, Jaylen Smith.
It seemed like Jaylen had more than a fair shot at getting his name called. While I’m sure he would’ve loved to have had his name called, it will serve as motivation for Smith heading into rookie camp. That’s because as soon as the NFL Draft concluded Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens wasted no time extending one of their first undrafted free agent contracts to Smith.
It comes as no surprise to many Cards fans as that is also the franchise that drafted former Heisman Cardinal great, Lamar Jackson and made him the face of their franchise. Jaylen Smith worked out with Lamar and the Ravens leading up to the draft and couldn’t help but think about the opportunity of the two being reunited once again. Surely the bond between the two players and a little friendly persuasion by Lamar helped keep Smith’s name fresh on the minds of the Ravens front office.
Smith told the Glenn Clark radio show a few weeks ago that “It felt like we’ve been doing this for weeks and weeks, and it was like second nature to us.” Making note that the chemistry the two shared on the field hadn’t seemed to miss a beat even after a year.
Listening to some former NFL veterans and execs this weekend, it became clear to me that being drafted in rounds 3-7 gives you no more chance to make a 53 man roster than if you went undrafted. So for Smith, the positives are with the right motivation, the right attitude to go with that chemistry and bond he and Lamar share, it could pay dividends.
Cards fans were upset to see Jaylen not get his name called, but for the Ravens, it could be just a smart business decision. If Smith makes the Ravens 53 man roster, not only would his base salary be less than that of his drafted peers, the Ravens would have the first option to extend Smith a contract in his 4th year in 2021. That’s because undrafted free agent contracts are 3yr contacts with the player being a restricted free agent in their 4th season.
The Ravens obviously rolled the dice not drafting Smith hoping no one else would either. It’s a gamble the Ravens with all the history and success between Smith and Lamar are hoping will produce major returns. For Smith, hearing his name called this past weekend would’ve been great, but the opportunity to play alongside Lamar once again and catch passes from his former college QB and friend is one step closer to becoming reality.
From myself and the many others of CARDNATION, I want to tell Jaylen good luck and go prove the haters wrong. The Baltimore Ravens will open Rookie mini-camp May 3-4.
-GO CARDS!