Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft Wishlist

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September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Albert Reid (5) runs the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick #14: Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

After turning in a promising yet disappointing 7-9 season (only the third season of less than 10 losses since the 2002 Super Bowl run), the Raiders will be selecting just before the middle of the first round. This will be – barring some sort of trade – the lowest first pick of the draft since 2012, when the Raiders first pick was at the top of the second round (Al Davis had shipped away their first round pick in the Richard Seymour trade).

In 2013, the Raiders traded back to select #12 overall, taking the disappointing DJ Hayden, who had top 10 potential before a major injury his final year at Houston. This year, my wish is that they make a similar move on a player who shouldn’t disappoint nearly as much and select UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, who is perhaps the most talented football player in the draft, will almost definitely slip out of the top 10 due to concerns over some problems in his knee.

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I may be a bit of a homer, being married to a UCLA grad, but I’ve also had the chance to see Myles Jack in action multiple times and I think me and hundreds of scouts can’t be wrong. Jack is a brilliant linebacking talent who can attack in the run game, cover in the pass game, rush the passer, and even score the odd short-yardage touchdown.

Jack, who weighed in at the combine at 245 pounds, has good size for the mike linebacker position. He has a powerful lower body (which helped him rush for 11 touchdowns and average 5.7 yards per carry on 68 carries at UCLA) with quick feet and a great burst, and closes quickly and explodes into ball carriers. He has above average coverage skills as well, and his athleticism makes him a threat as a blitzing linebacker, and he has the speed to play outside as well as at the Mike. He’s an instinctive and athletic player, and if he does indeed recover from his knee issue – or if the “issue” is more overblown draft misinformation – he could transform the Raider defense, and would fit the scheme perfectly, becoming Ken Norton’s new Bobby Wagner

Next: Raiders Draft Wishlist: Round 2

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