2016 NFL Draft Profile: Myles Jack, LB UCLA
By Adam Carlson
![Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) reacts against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthevikingage-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F03-2Fmyles-jack-ncaa-football-ucla-arizona-state-1-590x900-53d4bd2567ae58ae8d7c5b631a396ebafa8f386a8b4234001c05029b55ada04d.jpg)
For many Minnesota Vikings fans, it would be a dream come true for UCLA linebacker Myles Jack to be the team’s first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
There is something about UCLA linebackers that is great for the NFL recently. The Minnesota Vikings have found quite a bit of success lately by pairing former teammates Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks together in their defense, but there is one more physically talented linebacker from the school that will be a highly sought after commodity at the 2016 NFL Draft.
Miles Jack might actually be the one of the of the three who is selected earliest of the group. There are mock drafts that have Jack as the number one overall selection, and there is a great reason for that. He’s an athletic freak of nature who has a non-stop motor and a nose for the football. Not afraid of contact, he will fight his way through crowds of blockers to get where he needs to be.
Finding a negative for Jack is really nitpicking, but sometimes he shows a little hesitation when changing directions for pursuit. Still, the biggest worry is regarding his medical situation, where a torn anterior meniscus ended his season and kept him out of the NFL Scouting Combine’s more athletic competitions.
Here are the results for Myles Jack at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:
Height: 6’1″
Myles Jack compares to:
- CBS Sports: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers
- NFL.com: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers
Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:
If somehow Jack falls all the way to Minnesota, it wouldn’t be a second thought for the team to pick him. He would fill a big need at linebacker and would likely be the best player on the board. Pairing him with his two former UCLA teammates would provide instant chemistry and give the team a solid group of linebackers for the future.
My Take:
This is a dream scenario that won’t happen. Minnesota would likely have to move up into the top 5 to draft Jack, and I don’t see Rick Spielman giving up that much even though the talented young linebacker would be an amazing addition to the defense. Still, if the Vikings can somehow figure out a way to get him that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, I’d be cheering if his name is called by Minnesota at the 2016 NFL Draft.