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New Orleans Saints: Will Benefit From Myles Jack’s Honesty

By Nick Ziegler

Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jack Myles watches from the sidelines as he chooses not to run the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jack Myles watches from the sidelines as he chooses not to run the 40 yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New Orleans Saints will be on the clock with the 12th overall pick in the first round. And it’s possible one player may fall into their lap.

Linebacker Myles Jack has been regarded as one of the best players in the draft and was thought to be a Top 5 pick for much of the draft process. Jack was a very talented player at UCLA, but a knee injury last season led to a tough decision. Jack would elect to leave school to rehab his knee to prepare for the NFL Draft.

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Up until recently, the move to focus on his rehab had Jack as a Top-10 pick, but recent honest comments have hurt his draft stock. When talking to Bart Hubbach of the New York Post, Jack admitted that he possibly will need micro-fracture surgery one day.

“[The degenerative problems are] there, but it’s nothing extreme,” Jack said to Hubbach. “Down the line, possibly I could have micro-fracture surgery — potentially. Who knows what will happen?

Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Myles Jack (30) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Myles Jack (30) rushes for a 28-yard touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

“Nobody knows how long anybody is going to play in this league. To play three years in this league would be above average.”

“I would understand if I fell,” Jack told Hubbach. “This is a talented draft class, so if I was to fall, I wouldn’t take it personally.”

The honesty from Jack about his knee was shocking and has certainly hurt his draft stock, as he looked like a good fit for the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fifth pick not too long ago. While the honesty from Jack has hurt his draft stock, it will be a blessing for the Saints.

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The Saints need to improve their defense with the 12th pick in the first-round, and Jack is certainly one of the best prospects in this year’s class. Getting one of the best players with the 12th pick would be great value for the Saints, who would be taking a risk by selecting Jack.

In recent years, the Saints’ defense has been an absolute mess, as they allowed an NFL-worst 29.8 points per game last season. Improving the defense has been difficult for the Saints, but if they are alright with taking a risk, Jack could be the impact that they desperately need.

The Saints’ offense is still very capable with Drew Brees under center, as he led the league in passing yards last season. The NFC South is becoming a difficult division with the Carolina Panthers as the defending NFC Champions, but the Saints do have an elite quarterback, which can keep them in any game against good opponents.

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There will be other good defensive players available for the Saints at 12, but they need to find themselves a star on the defensive side of the ball. Jack’s honesty about his knee is concerning, but in the NFL, careers can end on any play with the physicality of the sport.

If Jack is available when the Saints are on the board in the first-round, they would be wise to take a risk on one of the best players in the draft.

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