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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Myles Jack, OLB

Hogs Haven takes a look at NFL draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Aaron Lesher

Myles Jack, LB/RB
School: UCLA | Conference: Pac-12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 245 lbs
Pro Day Results: 40" vertical jump, 10' 4" broad jump
Projected Draft Status: Top-5 Selection
NFL Comparison: Thomas Davis

College Statistics

Measurables

Player Overview

Myles Jack is a freak athlete in every sense of the word. As a true freshman, he won both Pac-12 offensive and defensive rookie of the year, the only player in Pac-12 history to do so. His freshman stat line was pretty incredible: 76 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 11 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, 267 yards rushing (7.0 YPC), and 7 rushing touchdowns. He was one of the most versatile players in college football, primarily playing as a do-everything linebacker but also moonlighting at running back. 3 games in to Jack's junior season, he tore his meniscus in practice, forcing him to miss the remaining season. Instead of continuing classes at UCLA and rehabbing at team facilities, Jack claimed his insurance proceeds from an injury policy his mom took out his freshman year, dropped out of school, declared for the draft, and moved to Arizona to rehab under Cardinals' therapist Brett Fischer and train for the upcoming NFL Combine.

Jack is unique because as such a fluid athlete, he's able to play multiple positions effectively: linebacker, safety, and running back. At UCLA's pro day, where he claimed to be "80%" recovered from the torn meniscus, he jumped 40" (which would have been the best for a linebacker at the Combine, and tied for 8th-best across ANY position) and broad jumped over 10 feet. He did not run the 40 yard dash, although believes he could run in the high 4.5s or 4.6 flat at 245 pounds. If Jack dedicated himself full-time to running back, he would likely garner first-round consideration, but teams view his skills best-suited for an off-LOS linebacker where he's able to use his pursuit speed to chase down running backs, agility and football IQ to cover receivers and tight ends, and explosiveness to occasionally blitz the quarterback.

Strengths

  • Incredible fluidity in hips and understanding of leverage allows him to cover receivers like a cornerback
  • Good football IQ gives ability to read and diagnose plays as they develop
  • Excellent hand-eye coordination aids in pass break-up numbers and wrap-up tackles (117 solo tackles and 19 PBUs in 29 games)
  • Plays with passion and intensity; gets hyped up when teammates make big plays
  • Ability to contribute as an edge rusher with strength and bend to get around offensive linemen
  • Versatile chess piece for creative defensive coordinators, ability to play every position along back-seven

Weaknesses

  • Can get swallowed up and taken out of plays by bigger lineman when playing closer to LOS
  • Takes questionable pursuit angles to ballcarrier
  • Lacks "killer" instinct when making a tackle, won't strike fear into offensive players with hits
  • Play rhythm gets interrupted when moving around field to different positions

Media Buzz

How He'd Fit on the Redskins

Jack will be long gone by the Redskins' pick at 21 overall, but for a fun thought experiment we can predict how our defense might look if he were in the lineup. Joe Barry showed some creativity and flexibility as defensive coordinator in Year 1, so he might occupy a LB/S position on the field that would allow us to field our best 11 players on defense. Because of his coverage ability he would draw assignments on running backs, tight ends, and slot receivers, which would free up extra resources to focus on shutting down outside receivers.

He would never need to come off the field since he's also very valuable against the run on first and second down. Jack could also be an interesting chess piece in disguised formations; he can legitimately sell himself as lining up in coverage and then blitz off the edge; a dangerous possibility for offenses giving his speed and size. Whichever team ends up drafting Myles Jack will get a passionate, intelligent, and massively gifted young man that is the ideal prospect for the modern NFL.

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