The Inconvenient Truth About Myles Jack

[Alexander]

Myles Jack and Draft Politics

Written by Jeff Risdon on March 4, 2016



UCLA defensive player Myles Jack is widely considered one of the elite players in the 2016 NFL Draft. His athleticism, versatility and explosive potential to make splash plays are all undeniable truths, and they’re all catnip for the fan.

Here’s an inconvenient truth on the 6’1”, 245-pound early entrant: Myles Jack is a lot better in the theoretical future than he has been in the actual past. You know, the part of the game which actually counts.

It reminds me of politicians trying to sell us on their grandiose vision of what they can do for us if we choose them. Only the best possible outcomes to decisions must be considered when lobbying for voting minds, and the ardent supporters often wear blinders to the very real negatives every candidate–from any side of the aisle–harbors.

Campaign promises often become hilariously sad tinder to the smoldering pile of disappointment that becomes of nearly every politician elected in America these days. In many cases, being mere tinder is a lucky stroke, as often proclamations of future accomplishment and greatness wind up being gasoline thrown on a raging bonfire.

With Jack, NFL teams will be buying into campaign promises from his agent, the sycophantic fans and even some smart and experienced scouts within their own buildings. And as with the most effective stump speech proclamations, there’s just enough credibility within the points being made to make it a very effective, viable sales pitch.

Jack presents the potential to be a revolutionary figure in modern NFL defense. During his Bruins career he lined up all over the formation. Heck, he was the 2013 Pac-12 Rookie of the Year…on both defense and offense! From safety to outside linebacker to running back to slot corner (yes, slot corner), Jack’s amazing blend of speed and agility made him one of the most entertaining and versatile weapons to hit college football in years.

http://draftbreakdown.com/myles-jack...raft-politics/

 

[JBS]

Too bad his knee hasn't checked out yet

It will be very unfortunate if he fails his medical re-check at his pro day

 

[Alexander]

Too bad his knee hasn't checked out yet

It will be very unfortunate if he fails his medical re-check at his pro day

Some teams were still skeptical at the Combine.

 

[tm1119]

I can say the same about a lot of players. The draft is mostly about potential and projections. College production means jack squat going forward. It doesn't take a seasoned scout to see that Jack is a special talent.

In most years I would agree that Jack shouldn't be considered at 4, but unfortunately we got a high pick in a year where the top of the draft is weaker than usual. Ramsey and Jack are the top 2 defenders in the draft going forward so he has to be considered if we really don't go QB.

 

[DogFace]

I knew he played both ways but, I didn't know he was defensive AND offensive ROY. How much did he rush for?

That's impressive.

 

[RS12]

Some teams were still skeptical at the Combine.

I start get skeptical when I hear personnel experts blathering on about him excelling at 5 positions. Smoke billowing off the hype machine.

 

[CF74]

Take him in the 2nd or don't worry about it...

 

[visionary]

He is Myles from a top 5 pick

 

[Rogerthat12]

Here’s an inconvenient truth on the 6’1”, 245-pound early entrant: Myles Jack is a lot better in the theoretical future than he has been in the actual past. You know, the part of the game which actually counts.

So the author expects us to take Bosa at 4, where edge rush ability should be a slam dunk and his college production was 5 sacks last year and somehow that is great college production??

If he applied the same standard to Bosa, he should add him in the article as well, DE with little production in draft politics at 4...lol.

Those 5 sacks will somehow make Bosa's theoretical future full of sacks...lol.

I just went through this yesterday, this guy has not done his research and looked at other NFL linebackers and their college production like Patrick Willis, Bowman and others, Jack's college production is right line in terms of interceptions, fumble recoveries and forced fumbles.

Jack obviously will have less sacks and tackles due to being put in coverage most of the time but all the other categories are the same or better with one less year of college play due to his injury.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Here’s an inconvenient truth on the 6’1”, 245-pound early entrant: Myles Jack is a lot better in the theoretical future than he has been in the actual past. You know, the part of the game which actually counts.

So the author expects us to take Bosa at 4, where edge rush ability should be a slam dunk and his college production was 5 sacks last year and somehow that is great college production??

If he applied the same standard to Bosa, he should add him in the article as well, DE with little production in draft politics at 4...lol.

Those 5 sacks will somehow make Bosa's theoretical future full of sacks...lol.

I just went through this yesterday, this guy has not done his research and looked at other NFL linebackers and their college production like Patrick Willis, Bowman and others, Jack's college production is right line in terms of interceptions, fumble recoveries and forced fumbles.

Jack obviously will have less sacks and tackles due to being put in coverage most of the time but all the other categories are the same or better with one less year of college play due to his injury.

Jack appears to be in good company especially considering moving him around and playing offense:

Jack 2 years, 3 games is right in there with all of these players.

Jack 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries!

Navorrow Bowman, Penn State 3 year career: 3 interceptions 1 forced fumble.

Ray Lewis, 2 Miami 2 year career: 4 interceptions.

Luke Kuechly Boston College 3 year career: 7 interceptions.

Patrick Willis Ole Miss 3 year career: 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Yawn @this article. Pretty lazy to compare Jack to Thompson. They play at totally different speeds. If hes healthy hes a top 7 pick.

 

[Sydla]

Jack appears to be in good company especially considering moving him around and playing offense:

Jack 2 years, 3 games is right in there with all of these players.

Jack 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries!

Navorrow Bowman, Penn State 3 year career: 3 interceptions 1 forced fumble.

Ray Lewis, 2 Miami 2 year career: 4 interceptions.

Luke Kuechly Boston College 3 year career: 7 interceptions.

Patrick Willis Ole Miss 3 year career: 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles.

Kuechly had 7 billion tackles compared to Jack. He's a horrible comparison.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Kuechly had 7 billion tackles compared to Jack. He's a horrible comparison.

Jack obviously will have less sacks and tackles due to being put in coverage most of the time but all the other categories are the same or better with one less year of college play due to his injury.

There is no comparison with tackles, that was qualified with the fact Jack was used primarily in coverage.

Comparison was only in terms of interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

Luke had an extra year than Jack and only the 3 more interceptions and less FF's and FR's.

 

[texbumthelife]

I've been saying this for two months now. His college tape and production don't come anywhere close to the hype his athleticism causes. He doesn't look instinctual at all.

This whole "he was used primarily as a coverage LB" shtick just doesn't work either. That tells me he is a specialist and you don't take defensive specialist, who don't rush the passer, in the top-10 or even the first round usually.

He is an intriguing kid and I will root for him if the Cowboys select him, but he just doesn't look like a natural LB to me and that worries me.

 

[Rogerthat12]

I've been saying this for two months now. His college tape and production don't come anywhere close to the hype his athleticism causes. He doesn't look instinctual at all.

This whole "he was used primarily as a coverage LB" shtick just doesn't work either. That tells me he is a specialist and you don't take defensive specialist, who don't rush the passer, in the top-10 or even the first round usually.

He is an intriguing kid and I will root for him if the Cowboys select him, but he just doesn't look like a natural LB to me and that worries me.

The problem for you is that he was primarily used as coverage linebacker.

Further, his production with 2 years, with like comparative statistics to some of the best NFL linebackers, is about the same in terms of interceptions, FF's and FR's.

Obviously Jack being moved around even as a slot corner, Safety, Will, Sam and MLB at times will shape his numbers in terms of sacks and tackles.

I understand the argument of not having had a home base and the worry as such but that is how his coaches chose to use him even as a RB.

What will not change no matter what any of us think is that Jack is in the top 5 discussion in this draft, unless his knee does not check out on re-checks in April.

 

[texbumthelife]

The problem for you is that he was primarily used as coverage linebacker.

Further, his production with 2 years, with like comparative statistics to some of the best NFL linebackers, is about the same in terms of interceptions, FF's and FR's.

Obviously Jack being moved around even as a slot corner, Safety, Will, Sam and MLB at times will shape his numbers in terms of sacks and tackles.

I understand the argument of not having had a home base and the worry as such but that is how his coaches chose to use him even as a RB.

What will not change no matter what any of us think is that Jack is in the top 5 discussion in this draft, unless his knee does not check out on re-checks in April.

Problem for me? I don't have a problem, that's a problem for Jack.

His "jack of all trades, master of none" ability is as much a hindrance to his stock as it is a positive. It's just as easy to look and say the coaches used him that way because he doesn't have the instincts to play like a natural linebacker, which is what I see when I watch him.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Problem for me? I don't have a problem, that's a problem for Jack.

His "jack of all trades, master of none" ability is as much a hindrance to his stock as it is a positive. It's just as easy to look and say the coaches used him that way because he doesn't have the instincts to play like a natural linebacker, which is what I see when I watch him.

Actually, his stock is doing well as he is considered a top 5 prospect right now in this draft.

Jack has mastered being dynamic in coverage from anywhere, hence why you think he should play the WILL.

Most reputable evaluators view Jack as an elite prospect in this draft which is why we are discussing this right now.

There are many teams, like Dallas, especially Eberflus who like versatile linebackers that can flex and cover.

Hitchens was a weakside linebacker and has already played all the linebacker positions for Dallas and Eberflus likes this flexibility.

Jacksonville will be all over Jack if we pass on him at #4, Gus covets a "Jack" linebacker.

Who knows where Jack goes in this draft ultimately, Zeke is also top 5 talent but may go later simply because of his position.

The only caveat for Jack is if his knee is not healed properly at re-checks in April.

The only reason Jack was all over the place in coverage and being played as a RB is that the coaches were taking advantage of his athleticism, hard to knock a player for being a team player!

 

[texbumthelife]

Actually, his stock is doing well as he is considered a top 5 prospect right now in this draft.

Jack has mastered being dynamic in coverage from anywhere, hence why you think he should play the WILL.

Most reputable evaluators view Jack as an elite prospect in this draft which is why we are discussing this right now.

There are many teams, like Dallas, especially Eberflus who like versatile linebackers that can flex and cover.

Hitchens was a weakside linebacker and has already played all the linebacker positions for Dallas and Eberflus likes this flexibility.

Jacksonville will be all over Jack if we pass on him at #4, Gus covets a "Jack" linebacker.

Who knows where Jack goes in this draft ultimately, Zeke is also top 5 talent but may go later simply because of his position.

The only caveat for Jack is if his knee is not healed properly at re-checks in April.

The only reason Jack was all over the place in coverage and being played as a RB is that the coaches were taking advantage of his athleticism, hard to knock a player for being a team player!

Scouts have been wrong before and so have I. Like I said, he doesn't look like a natural LB to me and for me to pick someone for that position at 4, he better check every box.

Then again, there is a reason he is considered top-5 in this draft and that's because the top of the draft is so weak, so it's tough to really knock any grades or adhere to usual position values. This draft is an enigma. Guys like Jack and Ramsey would be 10th-15th in a draft with a real cream of the crop.

I will say, regardless of position value, I would be more happy with Elliott, even at 4, than I would with Jack.

 

[brymatt94]

I knew he played both ways but, I didn't know he was defensive AND offensive ROY. How much did he rush for?

That's impressive.

38 Att, 267 Yds, AVG 7.0, 7 TD