NFL draft profile: UCLA LB Myles Jack, an elite, versatile athlete

Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.

5. UCLA LB Myles Jack
6-foot-1, 245 pounds

Key stat: As a linebacker for the Bruins, Jack totaled 178 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, one sack, 19 passes broken up and four interceptions. As a running back, Jack ran 68 times for 387 yards and 11 touchdowns. Oh, and he blocked a punt. All in 29 career games.

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The skinny: Rare two-position standout was named — get this — Pac-12 coaches’ Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2013, when he started 10 games at outside linebacker, one at inside linebacker and one at running back. Bruins coaches asked Jack to handle double duty again in 2014, and he responded with another strong season, even as his RB work was dialed back. Three games into his final season in 2015, Jack suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee that ended his season. He immediately withdrew from school and prepared to turn pro.

Jack was excused from doing all of the NFL combine workouts except for bench press (19 reps) beacuse of his knee. At his pro day, he sent a strong message by posting a vertical jump of 40 inches and a broad jump of 10-foot-4, which would have placed him in the top five in both — at both linebacker and running back, for what it’s worth. However, at the combine medical retesting in April in Indianapolis, there were mixed reviews about the condition of Jack’s knee. Less concerning is the meniscus repair itself but rather the condition of his cartilage and whether he might need microfracture surgery down the road.

Best-suited destination: Most NFL teams are not considering Jack as a running back, although he could moonlight as trick-play or red-zone specialist on offense. No, Jack’s primary role will be as a linebacker. In a 4-3 scheme, he’d be ideal as a weak-side or middle linebacker but has the versatility to play all three spots. In a 3-4 system, Jack looks the part of either inside position, but his underrated blitzing ability could be used in spots on the outside, too. Some teams have even tossed around the idea of using Jack as a safety. Watching him play, it’s clear he’s extremely comfortable walking out to the slot or marking a back, tight end or bigger receivers in coverage.

Reason he’ll rise in draft: Some teams are not concerned about Jack’s short- or long-term prognosis and beleive he’ll be good to go well in advance of training camp. He’s a truly rare athlete with special coverage ability, and in a league that lacks quality cover men at his size Jack might be viewed as something of a unicorn. He also can blitz, track down plays from the backside and pursue extremely well. Jack is a special talent with a combination of skills you just do not see often.

Reason he’ll fall in draft: Most of the questions about Jack right now are medical, and though he has kept his sense of humor on the matter it’s clear that there are teams that have become skittish about his possible need for microfracture surgery at some point down the road — two years, six years, who knows? That’s the scary part: the unknown. If a team could be guaranteed that Jack would make it healthy through his rookie deal, it likely would pull the trigger. But no doctor can guarantee that.

Scouting hot take: “What did you think when he left the team right after [the injury]? I didn’t love it. But I get it. These kids are businessmen. They’re smarter than we were. If you’re just talking as an athlete, he’s rare. I have been doing this a little while now. I don’t remember many — counting on one hand here — [who] are better athletes, pound for pound. He’s a better athlete than Patrick Willis but not as good instincts in my opinion.” — AFC college scouting director, speaking before the medical recheck

Player comp: NaVorro Bowman

Expected draft range: Top 10 pick

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