Generally speaking there is no such thing as a perfect prospect, not in the NFL, the NBA, nowhere. Every player has flaws, every player has their potential limited in some capacity. Those are the rules, and its usually also a rule that when a player is a ‘jack of all trades’ they are also a master of none. Very, VERY, rarely though an athlete comes along who breaks ALL of the rules. LeBron James did it in 2003, Wilt Chamberlain, Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, there is a short but impressive list of players whose gifts are so phenomenal that they defy convention. Myles Jack is one of those players, and before we get into what makes him so special lets acknowledge that yes, he could be a highly touted bust. But film doesn’t lie, and while I tried to tell everyone that would listen that Clowney couldn’t hold Kalil Mack’s jockstrap a couple of years ago (not without getting injured anyway), I’m going out on the proverbial limb again here and saying Myles Jack is the best player in this draft… PERIOD!
Ok, Brian, a bold claim, but what’s your evidence?
First let’s look at his measurables:
Height: 6’1″
Weight: ~243 Lbs
We don’t know Jack’s 40 time (it matters less than you think at this position), nor do we know his 3-cone drill or shuttle times (which DO matter). However, honestly if you watch ten minutes of Jack’s tape you don’t need to see any numbers from the underwear Olympics. Myles Jack could legitimately be drafted at FOUR positions in this year’s draft. That isn’t a typo. Jack is a mid-round talent at running back, has the cover ability to play safety or slot corner, and he’s the best linebacker in this class…and just to be clear I’m including Jaylon Smith in that even without he injury. Jack’s versatility is likely what draws some people’s eye, he’s simply so good at so many things it’s hard to find a definable weakness. At this point you might be wondering if I’m the only person with this much of a crazy high opinion of Jack, and the answer is no. Even Pete Prisco (he of inane and mindless Saints takes) compared Jack to a faster Ray Lewis, but more importantly NFL GM’s have made that comparison (read here).
It isn’t just that Jack is fast, Deion Jones is fast, or that he has great instincts, or that he has incredible balance and fluidity, or that he has great power, or that he has a non-stop motor and plays with an edge that any defensive coordinator would kill for. No, it isn’t that Jack has any one of those things, but that he has all of those things. He isn’t a Singletary, or a Butkus, or even Ray Lewis, he isn’t a near perfect prospect in their eras. However, in the modern era of football where teams spread you out a linebacker who can do literally everything is an incredible find. But a linebacker who can play slot corner for an entire game….that might be one of a kind (he did that versus UNLV).
Watch the above video (for some of you the mute button may save your life) and you will notice how Jack explodes off the screen. Obviously it’s a highlight film, it’s designed to make the player look good, but when you go back and watch his tape you notice that great plays are very common for him. Let’s take the hyperbole out of it for a second, let’s take out my obvious love of a freak athlete, and let’s look just at Myles Jack the player.
Strengths:
If it hasn’t been covered ad nauseum already Jack has the athleticsm to completely change the Saints front seven almost entirely on his own. The idea of having Jack, Anthony, and Vacarro somewhere near the line of scrimmage would be terrifying to opponents. The reason for this isn’t just his speed, or his ability to shed blockers with power and make splash plays. The reason I call Myles Jack a perfect prospect is that he isn’t just a once a generation freak athlete, but he has the intagibles and technique to be a great Football Player. That is what seperates a Jack from a player like Clowner, who despite all his gifts is nothing more than a punchline. Jack wraps up, he tackles well with good technique, he covers without grabbing (most of the time), he plays his angles and he’s smart. The best thing about him though is that he wants to get better. Jack may have gotten some flack from teammates and former coach Jim Mora Jr. for declaring for the draft right after getting hurt last year, but by his own words it was so he could immediately start rehabbing and getting better. Jack didn’t throw his teammates under the bus, he did what was best for his future…he thinks.
All this talk about his physical gifts might lead you to believe that what I like most about Myles Jack is his talent, but it isn’t. As incredible as his physical traits are, what makes him a can’t miss player is his mentality. Jack plays with a barely controlled ferocity that defines the best defenders. It is that area more than any other that draws the Ray Lewis comparisons. Jack is an intense player who plays with a chip on his shoulder, and while he’s not the biggest linebacker (not close to small mind you) he’s also one of the best ‘hitters’ in this class. Jack plays with a passion, a fire, that is sorely missed and desperately needed on the Saints.
Weaknesses:
None.
And I’m not being coy here. Jack doesn’t have a true weakness. What he DOES have is a lot of areas where he can improve, but the reason I don’t qualify them as weaknesses is he has shown the potential to improve in all of them. From his pursuit angles, to aggression, to reading of plays (every college players struggles with this sometimes) Jack can improve in all areas. But, the important thing is he has also shown the ability to be great in ALL of those areas. The key is becoming consistent (which is why you have coaches). The difference between the flaws in Jacks game and a player such as Kikaha is that Kikaha flat out can’t cover, Jack simply can develop parts of his game further. It’s really not uncommon for top prospects not to have a true weakness in their games, that’s why they are top guys, but Jack is unusual in that almost every area can be a legit strength for him.
That all comes with one MAJOR caveate though…Jack has to come back 100% from his injury. As long as he is able to return as the player he was, or even better, he’s everything I’ve outlined above, but if he can’t hes another ‘What If?’ guy.
Would you trade up for him?
With all the praise I’m heaping on him this question is probably in many of your minds, and the answer is yes. More accurately its yes, but only if its a reasonable trade. I’d swap firsts and give up the Saints second round pick next year for Jack in a second. I think he’s that good. I might even part with this year’s third round pick to get him, but under no circumstance would I trade this year’s second round pick or next year’s first unless I got another second or third this year (obviously for the first). Jack is a phenomenal prospect, and a perfect fit for what the Saints need most. However, while he is the ONLY player I’d be willing to trade up for it would be a heavy price. The reality is though that with his talent he COULD become maybe the best linebacker in team history… or at least in the top 3 and since the Saints had the greatest linebacking copr in NFL HISTORY…that is high praise (I’m preparing to duck the rocks for that last one as I write this).
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
