Bob Sturm's 2016 Draft Profile Series: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

[CATCH17]

Pass.


How many current 4-3 LB's are worth a top 5 pick?

Dallas needs impact players. Not some foot soldier at 5.

 

[jterrell]

Pretty sure I could count on 1 hand how many times McClain played 4 quarters of good football last year. Not to mention- 3 INT, 3 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, and 6 pass deflections in 23 starts for us the past 2 seasons. We should be grateful for the what we were able to get out of Ro, but we shouldn't be content with a MLB that just makes tackles in the box. Lack of pressure is our #1 problem on D, but lack of players that can actually make a play (outside of Lee) is another huge problem.

I can see the argument for playmakers for sure but the scheme may not be conducive to a MLB making big plays.
Myles Jack is a not a sack guy. I do think he'd have more picks than McClain but at a pretty big step down in physicality versus short yardage runs.

I really like Jack but the fit is questionable IMHO.

Also have to wonder how healthy Jack will be playing MLB. He's probably closer to Sean Lee in size than Ro McClain. The medicals may tell the tale for Jack. Does he show the signs of filling out. Can get add good weight easily. Knees sound? Ever had concussions?

 

[LatinMind]

dallas doesn't run a tampa 2.
in fact that defense has been beaten out of the league.

sturm is correct that at 4 you should be looking at cornerstone positions first.

dallas has 2 top flight middle linebackers in ro and sean lee.
they have a young quality lb with hitchens.

i love myles jack but his position is a very valid concern.

McClain is not a top flight MLB. And Lee's home is at the will, period. McClain flashed some great stuff in 2014 but they were far few in between. McClain was very good to start 2014 but as 2014 went on we saw less and less because he just cant stay on the field. In 2015 he was suspended because he cant say no to drugs. Looked and played lazy. He was horrible against the run and couldnt tackle. McClain has the abil;ity to become a all pro, but like teams have found out all the back since Alabama and probably before that, he's just lazy and he wont play thru the slightest of injuries. I would rather have Hitchens play MLB if they didnt draft jack. He's not as good but atleast hes dependable and you know he's going to be there.

Now getting back to 4

Who would make a better pick for this team now?

QB? This team is not packing it in on Romo they have made it clear he is their QB for atleast 3 more yrs. Smartest thing for them would be get a good backup and maybe draft a player in 3-4 rounds. Dak prescott

RB? no

WR? no

OL unless Tunsil is there no. But he wont be there

DL? Bosa hell no. A'shawn i really like but i dont think Dallas would draft him but they should. He would be the player i would pick over Jack at 4, middle of the DL needs help.

DB? hell no to Ramsey and im not buying Ramsey being the top guy on their board, especially when they have Jones.

Who is the corner stone on DEF? Who is the leader? Usually the MLB. Whats he called? The QB oif the defense.

Over time other than Lawrence taylor the LBers you remember as icons are what? MLB, NItschke, Butkis, Lewis, Lambert, Singletary, Seau goes on and on. While OLB is an important piece MLB is the heart of the defense. The Greatest defense have always had that dominant MLB. So to say that posistion is not a premium is asinine ti even discuss but here we are discussing it.

 

[LatinMind]

I can see the argument for playmakers for sure but the scheme may not be conducive to a MLB making big plays.
Myles Jack is a not a sack guy. I do think he'd have more picks than McClain but at a pretty big step down in physicality versus short yardage runs.

I really like Jack but the fit is questionable IMHO.

Also have to wonder how healthy Jack will be playing MLB. He's probably closer to Sean Lee in size than Ro McClain. The medicals may tell the tale for Jack. Does he show the signs of filling out. Can get add good weight easily. Knees sound? Ever had concussions?

Prospect grades have come out on NFL.com and These are usually the best ones out every yr basically because they have guys who just do this.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-grade

Only Tunsil has a higher grade

Able to weave through and around traffic in relentless pursuit. Plays with desired pad level and leverage. Uses hip explosion to strike on the rise with a hammering blow at the point of attack. Can jar offensive linemen off-balance with his strikes.

He is 245lbs The only reason Rolando looks bigger is because hes tall, And he plays to hit. Jack plays the same way but he is controlled, thats why he's reguarded as one of the best tacklers in this draft. Rolando isnt controlled but would rather launch himself and if he misses its a big play and thats what we saw in 2015.

As sturm said its hard to find holes in his game, and you cant really point at his knee because he;s aklready at full speed and will be at the combine full speed. If he wouldve played the whole season at UCLA i think he would be the first pick

 

[DBOY3141]

They liked Shazier and Shaq Thompson. So if Jack compares to those two, he will be in play. I don't get caught up in draft position, because there are too many variables that the Cowboys can't control.

 

[tm1119]

I really didn't want to have to take the time to do this but it's bothering me at this point. I'd love to know what world you guys all live in where there area all of these 6'3 250+ Lb's running around. Especially in a 4-3 defense.

Bowman- 6' 242
D'Quell Jackson- 6' 242
David- 6'1 233
Posluszny- 6'1 240
CJ Mosley- 6'2 235
Kuechly- 6'3 238
Timmons- 6'1 234
Wagner- 6' 242
Trevathan- 6'1 240
Tulloch- 5'11 245
Kendricks- 6' 232
K'Won Alexander- 6'1 227
Levy- 6'2 235
Worrilow- 6'1 231

So even if you want to say that 6'1 245 is over exaggerated, as you can clearly see, 6' 1/2" 235 is still by no means too small and he would still continue to add weight to his frame. So if you want to harp that you'd like him to be an inch and 1/4 taller, fine, but stop this nonsense that he's not big enough please. It's not the 1980's anymore people.

 

[LatinMind]

I really didn't want to have to take the time to do this but it's bothering me at this point. I'd love to know what world you guys all live in where there area all of these 6'3 250+ Lb's running around. Especially in a 4-3 defense.

Bowman- 6' 242
D'Quell Jackson- 6' 242
David- 6'1 233
Posluszny- 6'1 240
CJ Mosley- 6'2 235
Kuechly- 6'3 238
Timmons- 6'1 234
Wagner- 6' 242
Trevathan- 6'1 240
Tulloch- 5'11 245
Kendricks- 6' 232
K'Won Alexander- 6'1 227
Levy- 6'2 235
Worrilow- 6'1 231

So even if you want to say that 6'1 245 is over exaggerated, as you can clearly see, 6' 1/2" 235 is still by no means too small and he would still continue to add weight to his frame. So if you want to harp that you'd like him to be an inch and 1/4 taller, fine, but stop this nonsense that he's not big enough please. It's not the 1980's anymore people.

Exactly its a new era where teams are looking for LBers that can cover and flow rather then just pound a lineman

 

[jterrell]

Jack reportedly weighed 220 last year.
If he is 245 and super fast he'll alleviate a lot of concerns.

At 230-235 you gotta wonder can he take the abuse of playing MLB.
Even Kuechley this year and Lee hie entire career have struggled with injuries.

I really like Jack but at 4 it's worth playing devil's advocate.
The list of ILB going top 10 the past 15 years is littered with complete busts.

Scary deal.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Jack reportedly weighed 220 last year.
If he is 245 and super fast he'll alleviate a lot of concerns.

At 230-235 you gotta wonder can he take the abuse of playing MLB.
Even Kuechley this year and Lee hie entire career have struggled with injuries.

I really like Jack but at 4 it's worth playing devil's advocate.
The list of ILB going top 10 the past 15 years is littered with complete busts.

Scary deal.

Would a qb bust make you feel better? Serious question

 

[jterrell]

Bowman- 6' 242 pick 91
D'Quell Jackson- 6' 242 pick 34
David- 6'1 233 pick 58
Posluszny- 6'1 240 pick 34
CJ Mosley- 6'2 235 pick 17
Kuechly- 6'3 238 pick 9
Timmons- 6'1 234 pick 15
Wagner- 6' 242 pick 45
Trevathan- 6'1 240 pick 188
Tulloch- 5'11 245 pick 116
Kendricks- 6' 232 pick 45
K'Won Alexander- 6'1 227 pick 124
Levy- 6'2 235 pick 76
Worrilow- 6'1 231 UDFA

only 1 top 10 pick, that being 9 for a defensive MVP.
I do NOT think Jack is as good a prospect as Kuechly but he is VERY, VERY good to be sure.

 

[jterrell]

Would a qb bust make you feel better? Serious question

yes. serious answer.

at least then you can say you tried to land the guy to take you out of the tony romo era.
no middle linebacker does that.

but you evaluate all the players and make judgments. if you don't believe the qb's are worth round 1 grades then so be it.

we don't even know what defense we'll be running in 2 years.
marinelli is an old man and is very likely to move on if jason gets the boot.
a young qb prospect you build around... a young mlb you do not.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Trust your eyes. If you watch Jack then enough said

 

[tm1119]

Bowman- 6' 242 pick 91
D'Quell Jackson- 6' 242 pick 34
David- 6'1 233 pick 58
Posluszny- 6'1 240 pick 34
CJ Mosley- 6'2 235 pick 17
Kuechly- 6'3 238 pick 9
Timmons- 6'1 234 pick 15
Wagner- 6' 242 pick 45
Trevathan- 6'1 240 pick 188
Tulloch- 5'11 245 pick 116
Kendricks- 6' 232 pick 45
K'Won Alexander- 6'1 227 pick 124
Levy- 6'2 235 pick 76
Worrilow- 6'1 231 UDFA

only 1 top 10 pick, that being 9 for a defensive MVP.
I do NOT think Jack is as good a prospect as Kuechly but he is VERY, VERY good to be sure.

Who the hell cares??? RG3, Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon, Mark Barron, Mo Claiborne, and Ryan Tannehill were drafted over Kuechly because they were more "premium positions." How's that working out? Drafting a lesser player because of some arbitrary perceived position value is beyond stupid and it's also no coincidence that every team besides the mediocre Commanders that missed on those picks in 2012 are now drafting in the top 15 here again in 2016. Hmmm...

 

[jterrell]

McClain is not a top flight MLB. And Lee's home is at the will, period. McClain flashed some great stuff in 2014 but they were far few in between. McClain was very good to start 2014 but as 2014 went on we saw less and less because he just cant stay on the field. In 2015 he was suspended because he cant say no to drugs. Looked and played lazy. He was horrible against the run and couldnt tackle. McClain has the abil;ity to become a all pro, but like teams have found out all the back since Alabama and probably before that, he's just lazy and he wont play thru the slightest of injuries. I would rather have Hitchens play MLB if they didnt draft jack. He's not as good but atleast hes dependable and you know he's going to be there.

Now getting back to 4

Who would make a better pick for this team now?

QB? This team is not packing it in on Romo they have made it clear he is their QB for atleast 3 more yrs. Smartest thing for them would be get a good backup and maybe draft a player in 3-4 rounds. Dak prescott

RB? no

WR? no

OL unless Tunsil is there no. But he wont be there

DL? Bosa hell no. A'shawn i really like but i dont think Dallas would draft him but they should. He would be the player i would pick over Jack at 4, middle of the DL needs help.

DB? hell no to Ramsey and im not buying Ramsey being the top guy on their board, especially when they have Jones.

Who is the corner stone on DEF? Who is the leader? Usually the MLB. Whats he called? The QB oif the defense.

Over time other than Lawrence taylor the LBers you remember as icons are what? MLB, NItschke, Butkis, Lewis, Lambert, Singletary, Seau goes on and on. While OLB is an important piece MLB is the heart of the defense. The Greatest defense have always had that dominant MLB. So to say that posistion is not a premium is asinine ti even discuss but here we are discussing it.

Sean Lee is the QB of the defense whether he plays Will, Mike or CB. He will probably be the defensive captain and QB until he becomes the LB coach.

Actually the best LB I recall is Demarcus Ware. And yea that LT guy who I used on Tecmo Bowl.

Bringing up guys from the 60s is just not logical. It is a very different game. MLB is not a cornerstone position. Those are QB,Pass Rusher, CB, LT, WR.

Only two ILB make more than 10m per year. The list at those 5 positions above is quite long and averages about 9 per position BEFORE QB.

 

[jterrell]

I can see the argument for playmakers for sure but the scheme may not be conducive to a MLB making big plays.
Myles Jack is a not a sack guy. I do think he'd have more picks than McClain but at a pretty big step down in physicality versus short yardage runs.

I really like Jack but the fit is questionable IMHO.

Also have to wonder how healthy Jack will be playing MLB. He's probably closer to Sean Lee in size than Ro McClain. The medicals may tell the tale for Jack. Does he show the signs of filling out. Can get add good weight easily. Knees sound? Ever had concussions?

and I quote Sturm here: Since 2005, AJ Hawk, Ernie Sims, Keith Rivers, Jerod Mayo, Aaron Curry, Rolando McClain, Luke Kuechly have all gone in the Top 10. Only Kuechly and perhaps Mayo for a few seasons would be considered "special" in the NFL from that list. The others ranged from "solid" to complete flops. If they were all Kuechly, you would run to the podium for Jack, but this isn't how the draft works.

 

[LatinMind]

Jack reportedly weighed 220 last year.
If he is 245 and super fast he'll alleviate a lot of concerns.

At 230-235 you gotta wonder can he take the abuse of playing MLB.
Even Kuechley this year and Lee hie entire career have struggled with injuries.

I really like Jack but at 4 it's worth playing devil's advocate.
The list of ILB going top 10 the past 15 years is littered with complete busts.

Scary deal.

That same list exists for every posistion. the lowest i have ever seen him listed was by scout.com and they have him listed at 232lbs. Which is still what most LBers in the nfl are at anyways in the middle. And like somebody posted in here already this isnt the 80s MLBs are just popping OL anymore. The games evolved to more of having them flow to the play. Keuchley is rarely up at the LOS he drops back then flows to the ball. Werent you on the Jaylen Smith wagon? He's smaller then Jack.

 

[LatinMind]

and I quote Sturm here: Since 2005, AJ Hawk, Ernie Sims, Keith Rivers, Jerod Mayo, Aaron Curry, Rolando McClain, Luke Kuechly have all gone in the Top 10. Only Kuechly and perhaps Mayo for a few seasons would be considered "special" in the NFL from that list. The others ranged from "solid" to complete flops. If they were all Kuechly, you would run to the podium for Jack, but this isn't how the draft works.

All them had flaws that were evident. Like even Sturm says its hard to find a hole in Jacks game. And tries to use the lack or production reason. BUt thats just like he threw it out there to try and back up his theory. Because in the next sentence he says but he wasnt asked to do that

 

[stilltheguru88]

Who the hell cares??? RG3, Trent Richardson, Justin Blackmon, Mark Barron, Mo Claiborne, and Ryan Tannehill were drafted over Kuechly because they were more "premium positions." How's that working out? Drafting a lesser player because of some arbitrary perceived position value is beyond stupid and it's also no coincidence that every team besides the mediocre Commanders that missed on those picks in 2012 are now drafting in the top 15 here again in 2016. Hmmm...

Premium position. Lol love those two words

 

[jterrell]

All them had flaws that were evident. Like even Sturm says its hard to find a hole in Jacks game. And tries to use the lack or production reason. BUt thats just like he threw it out there to try and back up his theory. Because in the next sentence he says but he wasnt asked to do that

Jack has flaws too. WE all do. Oh wait I get it!! Jack is Jesus! Yes we can draft Jesus at 4.

 

[LatinMind]

Sean Lee is the QB of the defense whether he plays Will, Mike or CB. He will probably be the defensive captain and QB until he becomes the LB coach.

Actually the best LB I recall is Demarcus Ware. And yea that LT guy who I used on Tecmo Bowl.

Bringing up guys from the 60s is just not logical. It is a very different game. MLB is not a cornerstone position. Those are QB,Pass Rusher, CB, LT, WR.

Only two ILB make more than 10m per year. The list at those 5 positions above is quite long and averages about 9 per position BEFORE QB.

Ur saying its a very different game but ur trying to use the logic of that era, in thinking the defense needs this big guy in the middle. To do what? Flow and cover? Because thats what the MLB does in this defense.