In the final days leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft, no top player is being scrutinized as much as UCLA's Myles Jack.
Myles Jack vows to make teams pay if they pass on him in the 2016 NFL Draft
Under scrutiny following a knee injury that caused him to miss most of last season, the UCLA star told us he just wants to get picked in the first round.
The athletic linebacker played in just three games in 2015 after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. That injury forced Jack to sit out most of the NFL Scouting Combine and skip the 40-yard dash at his pro day. It also led to questions about the long-term health of his knee, and how it could potentially shorten his pro career.
The reports about Jack have varied, but the most damning bit of speculation came from an unnamed source who told Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News that Jack’s surgically repaired knee is “a time bomb.”
“If people look into that, I would advise them not to,” Jack recently told SB Nation in a phone interview. “I’ve been doing workouts with teams and they’ve said I’m fine. Doctors have said I’m fine. It really just comes down to whatever team is comfortable picking me. It’s one of those deals where, if you want me you want me. If you don’t, I’m going to make you pay.”
One of the teams showing interest in Jack is the Jacksonville Jaguars, owners of the fifth overall pick in the draft. With current middle linebacker Paul Posluszny entering the twilight of his career, Jack would be a natural fit in head coach Gus Bradley’s defense. Jaguars officials went to UCLA last week to work Jack out privately.
“He looked good,” Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said last week. “We put him through linebacker drills, change of direction, drops, bag drills.”
Of course, during the time of year where executives like Caldwell try to gain a competitive advantage via misinformation, it’s hard to wholly believe anything anyone says. The interest in Jack has been high, though. At least nine teams have had a private workout with him, including the Oakland Raiders last week.
“The work is done. The film hasn’t changed,” Jack said. “I did my interviews, so it really just comes down to how teams are feeling.”
The film shows a player who started 28 games for the Bruins, finishing with 178 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Jack doesn’t turn turn 21 until September, either.
Some consider Jack a top-five pick while others think the questions about his knee will push him out of the top 10. Those who are high on Jack surely fell in love with his combination of athleticism and instincts. At UCLA, Jack not only lined up at linebacker, but he was also used some as a safety and as a running back. He played over the slot a lot and is a natural in pass coverage. In today’s pass-heavy NFL, having a coverage linebacker like Jack can be critical.
"He could shut down a whole side of the field," Jack's UCLA teammate Kenny Clark said at the NFL Combine in February. "Whoever he’s lined up on, he’s as athletic as that guy. Quarterbacks didn’t want to attack him. He didn’t have many interceptions because they didn’t want to throw toward him."
As successful as Jack was for UCLA -- he was the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013 -- he was still criticized by his coach Jim Mora for entering the draft. Mora, the former Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks head coach, warned Jack about going pro after playing just three games in his final season of college football.
“I think it’s risky to do this,” Mora told the media after Jack announced his decision in October. “Having been on that side, there’s going to be a lot of speculation as to what he is and where he fits. And as I told Myles, NFL teams are very, very conservative, and if there’s any question whatsoever, they’ll pass on you in a heartbeat.”
It's a scenario we've seen in the past. In 2013, defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was considered a likely top-five pick. Late in the process leading up to the draft, reports surfaced about teams being concerned that he may have a heart issue. Some cite that as the chief reason why Lotulelei dropped him to the 14th pick and the Carolina Panthers.
Even if Jack slides in the draft, he just wants to get picked in the first round.
“Hopefully the first round, hopefully that’s where teams see me,” he said. “I pray it’s the first round because that’s a goal of mine. Just to have the privilege to play in the league, to get drafted ... is a major accomplishment in itself. But definitely you want to go as high as possible. That’s just real life.”
Jack said he doesn’t think the reports about his long-term health have hurt this draft stock, though. The linebacker laughed off the concern and vowed to have a long career.
“It’s one of those things ... this game of football, it’s got to end for everybody at some point,” Jack said. “But as far as the longevity of my career and everything, where I’m at, it’s definitely mind-boggling because people don’t know just how hard I’ve been working and how I’m coming back bigger, strong and faster. Me personally, I’m not worried I’m playing five years. I feel like I’m going to play forever until that day comes.”
Myles Jack joined us for this story courtesy of Speed Stick. Check out Speed Stick’s YouTube channel here and join the conversation on Twitter with #speedman.
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