2016 NFL Mock Draft: San Francisco 49ers select Myles Jack

Myles Jack, LB, UCLA

The team is a mess, being led by a coach that left a mess behind at his old team, and there is currently the ongoing saga with Colin Kaepernick and his possible trade to the Broncos. You would think the 49ers would need a quarterback. However the Browns and Chargers made sure to take the top 2 off the board early. There is no reason to reach for Paxton Lynch at this time for several reasons. Firstly, getting a QB just to get one at #7 is just too costly with some elite options still on the board. If Chip and co. really want a 2nd tier rookie QB they can try to trade up into the back end of the 1st round for  a guy like Connor Cook. If it is that important to them to get any decent rookie QB then a 2nd and 3rd round pick is easily worth giving up, especially when they have so many draft picks. It is also a wiser value move than passing on an elite player for Lynch at #7. They can also decide to worry about QB next year. They may be stuck with Kaepernick and his contract and have Gabbert that can grind this sorry team through the season on their way to a high draft pick. The Browns are in a similar mess but at least they can take a top QB this year. San Fran can't afford to settle.

With the 49ers on deck there were 3 or 4 elite players available. There was Ronnie Stanley for those those that consider him elite. The positive of grabbing him is that the new QB, whenever he comes, would have some protection ready for him. However that had to be passed on as there was also a trio of elite young men that fit in the defensive front 7. Chip Kelly would have banged the table hard for the Duck DeForest Buckner to join the other Duck (Armstead) on the line. While he is a good player we fortunately (or unfortunately) got saved the drama when the Ravens took him at #6.

That left 2 players on the big board: Joey Bosa and Myles Jack. These two players have been widely considered the top players available in the draft but were passed on for positional need or scheme fit. Missing out on a top 2 QB may have been a blessing afterall. The team has been decimated at the linebacker position the last few years due to retirement, injuries and free agency. So yes I have a preference and he happens to be the #1 overall player on my draft board. Not having a top QB available makes it a relatively stress-free decision. Add to that the character concerns of Bosa and that Chip might not like that, it makes the selection of Myles Jack an easy one.
Myles Jack and NaVorro Bowman would be a dynamic force at lineback for years to come. Because he was injured there aren't any public drill results to review but he was cleared to work out for teams. He is a freak athelete that can play every down in every formation and at any linebacker postion after gaining some weight. He is fast, quick, strong and agile. He combines that talent with a high football IQ, great vision and play recognition along with great ball skills, physicality and block shedding skills. He should be able to do anything expected of him at the next level. Ironically, he compares well to Bowman. He has a high ceiling and could be the next great linebacker.

And with that your Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock.

Too bad the Eagles couldn't take Jack, but I didn't leave scraps for them to pick from.

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2016 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Titans (ablesser88) - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss - [Explanation]
2) Browns (EaglesGenius) - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State - [Explanation]
3) Chargers (StoneColeKiller58) - Jared Goff, QB, Cal - [Explanation]
4) Cowboys (kamjam) - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State - [Explanation]
5) Jaguars (drc242) - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State - [Explanation]
6) Ravens (rohan915) - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon - [Explanation]
7) 49ers (LAOJoe) - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA - [Explanation]
8) Eagles (slickpablovick) -
9) Buccaneers (OneBucFan47) -
10) Giants (Paulie97) -
11) Bears (Kiko's Delivery Service) -
12) Saints (kylebruneault) -
13) Dolphins (wildcatlh) -
14) Raiders (Luxury_Used_Vehicles_By_Braman) -
15) Rams (NowWhat?) -
16) Lions (bri g) -
17) Falcons (thealien2696) -
18) Colts (ei78) -
19) Bills (naderg43) -
20) Jets (Quacking_Eagle) -
21) Washington (TheCoxishere) -
22) Texans (jeppsforst) -
23) Vikings (WScott151) -
24) Bengals (burkhart_b) -
25) Steelers (theaction) -
26) Seahawks (tfrank9811) -
27) Packers (3Trace) -
28) Chiefs (jawmo) -
N/A) Patriots - Cheaters
29) Cardinals (big DUB) - 
30) Panthers (zatch2k) -
31) Broncos (JALupowitz) -