Is it time to sit JD?

[method man]

What JD needs to work on first and foremost this offseason is his body. He needs to find an elite S&C coach and become at least a legit 210-215 pounds. He is listed at 210 but I know a lot of people suspect he is actually closer to 200 and may be under

 

[burgold]

Maybe, but bulking up doesn't necessarily make one less injury prone. Take the lesson of Laron Landry.

 

[AngryChuckT]

What JD needs to work on first and foremost this offseason is his body. He needs to find an elite S&C coach and become at least a legit 210-215 pounds. He is listed at 210 but I know a lot of people suspect he is actually closer to 200 and may be under

Maybe, but bulking up doesn't necessarily make one less injury prone. Take the lesson of Laron Landry.

Agree with both, regarding a happy medium. I am convinced LaRon cared more about how he looked than how he played. I am sure some of the means (modern chemistry) by which he put on that bulk didn't help his injury issues either.

I don't think we have enough sample size to say he is "injury prone." I do think another 15-20lbs would be a net benefit fort JD5 just for impact absorption. With longevity vs a little slower, I will take longevity.

 

[Chris]

As someone with a frame very similar to Jayden’s…even with the best S&C coach on the planet I am highly skeptical that he could legally add 15-20 lbs of muscle in one offseason. Half of that? Possibly. My best educated guess is that he is probably in the 195 range now.

 

[Conn]

He looked thicker and better built going into this season, and I bet it was 5 lb of bulk. He’s thin-hipped and thin-shouldered, he can only add so much weight.

What makes him special in terms of mobility is his agility, his effortless athleticism in the pocket. He needs to keep that and not weigh himself down trying to change his body.

He’s going to get hurt less by playing smarter and getting rid of the ball quickly like he mostly did as a rookie. Not by bulking up to take hits better. He’ll learn how to protect himself better or he won’t, that’s on him and his coaches (and their playcalling)…but we can’t dampen his super powers.

 

[Chris]

I question whether or not an extra 15-20 pounds would protect him from the rib injury he suffered last season or the helmet to the knee and dislocated elbow this season. My gut tells me no.

 

[Riggo44]

I question whether or not an extra 15-20 pounds would protect him from the rib injury he suffered last season or the helmet to the knee and dislocated elbow this season. My gut tells me no.

His size is so overblown. Prescott is almost 240 lbs, and has missed 25 games since 2020.

 

[burgold]

I told you when he was drafted. What Jayden Daniels needs is the Black Panther's vibranium suit, you know, the one that absorbs all kinetic energy.

 

[Boone]

I question whether or not an extra 15-20 pounds would protect him from the rib injury he suffered last season or the helmet to the knee and dislocated elbow this season. My gut tells me no.

Yeah. As someone who has spent a good amount of my healthcare career in orthopedic injury-related areas, I think the arguments fans make about 'frame' and size are mostly myths. Joints only bend one way. Bones break under certain pressure whether you are a ripped bodybuilder or scrawny and underweight. Tendons and ligaments tear if stretched to the extreme. You can't 'strengthen' your way out of injury risk. I'm not saying there is no benefit to being a larger human (whether by genetics or workout efforts) but when it comes to the violent collisions inherent in the NFL, I don't think adding muscle changes your risk of major injury in any meaningful way. This is particularly true when so many of the injuries are the result of getting held in place by one player, then twisted in gang tackles or scrums in directions the body isn't intended to go. No amount of muscle is going to keep your knee in place when that happens.

Style of play and decision-making is probably an exponentially more impactful factor. Cam Newton is a big strong guy. But his career was basically brought to it's effective end because he constantly put himself in harm's way. His sturdy frame, size, and musculature didn't save him.

In terms of Jayden, I think having him uber focused on protecting himself and not taking unnecessary risks, and also limiting the use of him in designed runs, while also building the best protection possible around him - those are the things that are most likely to keep him upright and healthy enough to play full seasons.