The Baltimore Ravens are in position to get UCLA linebacker Myles Jack with the No. 6 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The trade between the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans was huge for the two teams involved. It also put theRavens in position to land one of the top defensive players in this year’s draft, includingMyles Jackof UCLA.
Jack is a freakish athlete that is going to contribute in a number of ways in the NFL. He has speed that you rarely see from a linebacker, and even played running back for former NFL coach Jim Mora. He was a state champion in the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays while in high school. It’s not often you see players with that kind of speed playing linebacker.
He is such a dynamic player that he earned the rare honor of being named the Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year. Where Jack really stands out is in coverage. He can keep up with wide receivers and even was used at safety at times in college.
He’s not just a speed demon either. He can get into the backfield from both the edge and inside. He attacks the line of scrimmage on running plays regardless of what position he is playing, and quarterbacks need to know where he is lined up on every play.
Like any player, he is not perfect. Jack is a bit undersized at 6-foot-1 and 232 pounds. He is coming off a year in which he tore his meniscus and some NFL teams believe his smaller stature could have been the cause of the injury. Scouts are also worried that the knee injury could be a concern later in his career.
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Those concerns have not scared too many teams as most mock drafts have Jack being selected in top-10 picks. The Ravens need a game changer on their defense, and pairing Jack withC.J. Mosleycould be one of the most dynamic duos in the league at inside linebacker.
It’s no secret that the Ravens linebackers really struggled in coverage last season.Daryl Smithwas fantastic against the run, but was off the field on passing downs because he was such a liability in coverage. Mosley also struggled in passing situations as well.
Jack’s ability to also rush the passer while be coveted by the Ravens defense because they generated little pass rush onceTerrell Suggswent down for the year. That allowed teams to double teamElvis Dumerviland Baltimore does not have another terrific pass rusher on the roster. Jack is explosive off the snap and gets to the quarterback in a hurry.
Our friends over atNFL Mocks compared Jackto former Chicago Bears linebackerLance Briggs.Pro Football Focussays his skill set is likeThomas Davisof the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens desperately need someone of that caliber on their defense.
Smith was let go earlier in the offseason for salary cap purposes which leaves Baltimore withZach Orr, an undrafted free agent, andArthur Brownas the only inside linebackers with the team. Jack would instantly become the starter next to Mosley.
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The Ravens need someone of Jack’s talent and if he is there at No. 6, it should be a no brainer that they take him. Imagine this linebacking corps to start a game: Suggs and Dumervil on the edge with Mosley and Jack in the middle. That will scare the bejesus out of most quarterbacks.
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