2016 NFL Mock Draft: February edition

17th Pick – Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Myles Jack – LB
UCLA – Junior
6-1, 245 Pounds

The Falcons are not about to allow Paul Worrilow walk out the door in restricted free agency, but I could see the Falcons possibly finding his replacement in the draft. With the struggles of Philip Wheeler and O’Brien Schofield, it seems only natural to upgrade the position, and first guy I see the Falcons picking is athletic Myles Jack. Jack is really a jack of all trades (pun), he goes to a team who lacks the athleticism to roam the field and make plays on the ball.

When I saw the injury of Myles Jack, I thought to myself “he’s going to slide in the draft this year”. The positive (there’s never any positives to injury, I am a glass-half-full kind of guy) is that Myles Jack got injured in September during the first game, so he had a lot of time to heal and rehabilitate. This is one of the most athletic linebacker in the draft, and he plays with a nose to the ball. He could eventually be a heir to the Atlanta defense that hasn’t been in the top-5 of defenses since 2012, when they went 13-3. The Falcons need the presense that John Abraham had on the team during 2012, that’s something Myles could provide.

I almost place a wide receiver or corner back for the Falcons selection, then it hit me, the Falcons selected Justin Hardy and Jalen Collins last year. They are young, the Falcons just need to continue to develop them at the same pace they are going. Myles Jack fits the physical nature, has great insticts, and seems very talented at setting an edge. I could see Jack doing better at covering the tight end, just needs a little development in those grey areas.

Player Comparison: Paul Posluszny – Jacksonville Jaguars

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