The Jaguars may have gotten a steal when Myles Jack fell to them atop the second round. He was a top-5 talent by most accounts, available a round later only because of a knee worry that may require microfracture surgery at some point.
He's healthy now, and the Jaguars will likely find a place for him in their defense right away. But rookie expectations should probably be modest. Most likely, Paul Posluszny will be the starter at middle linebacker, at least initially. And there aren't a ton of rookies who make a big impact right away.
Over the last 15 years, 39 rookies have put up really impressive tackle numbers; 100 or more total tackles. That's about 2.5 per season; 2 exactly if you look strictly at the linebacker position. Maybe Jack can be one of those players, especially if does in fact win a starting job right away, but that's hardly a given.
Two players did it last year, including Saints rookie Stephone Anthony. He landed a starting spot right out of the game and had a strong season.
100-tackle rookies since 2000, sorted by total tackles, are shown below, with 2015 players in bold.
100-TACKLE ROOKIES, 2001-PRESENT | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | Pos | Total | Solo | Ast |
2007 | Patrick Willis, S.F. | ILB | 174 | 135 | 39 |
2012 | Luke Kuechly, Car. | MLB | 164 | 103 | 61 |
2013 | Kiko Alonso, Buf. | MLB | 159 | 87 | 72 |
2006 | DeMeco Ryans, Hou. | MLB | 155 | 125 | 30 |
2012 | Bobby Wagner, Sea. | MLB | 140 | 87 | 53 |
2007 | Jon Beason, Car. | MLB | 140 | 106 | 34 |
2012 | Lavonte David, T.B. | OLB | 139 | 112 | 27 |
2009 | Brian Cushing, Hou. | OLB | 133 | 86 | 47 |
2014 | C.J. Mosley, Balt. | ILB | 133 | 89 | 44 |
2008 | Jerod Mayo, N.E. | ILB | 128 | 100 | 28 |
2013 | Paul Worrilow, Atl. | OLB | 127 | 79 | 48 |
2012 | Vontaze Burfict, Cin. | OLB | 127 | 73 | 54 |
2007 | David Harris, NYJ | ILB | 127 | 90 | 37 |
2006 | Ernie Sims, Det. | OLB | 124 | 81 | 43 |
2010 | T.J. Ward, Clev. | SS | 123 | 95 | 28 |
2009 | James Laurinaitis, St.L. | MLB | 120 | 107 | 13 |
2006 | A.J. Hawk, G.B. | OLB | 119 | 82 | 37 |
2013 | Alec Ogletree, St.L. | OLB | 117 | 94 | 23 |
2005 | Kirk Morrison, Oak. | LB | 116 | 91 | 25 |
2004 | D.J. Williams, Den. | OLB | 114 | 81 | 33 |
2003 | Nick Barnett, G.B. | MLB | 112 | 86 | 26 |
2015 | Stephone Anthony, N.O. | MLB | 112 | 70 | 42 |
2015 | Landon Collins, NYG | FS | 112 | 84 | 28 |
2006 | Thomas Howard, Oak. | OLB | 110 | 88 | 22 |
2014 | Preston Brown, Buff. | OLB | 109 | 66 | 43 |
2014 | Chris Borland, S.F. | ILB | 108 | 84 | 24 |
2004 | Jonathan Vilma, NYJ | MLB | 107 | 77 | 30 |
2005 | Kerry Rhodes, NYJ | SS | 105 | 85 | 20 |
2013 | John Cyprien, Jac. | SS | 104 | 87 | 17 |
2012 | Harrison Smith, Minn. | FS | 104 | 74 | 30 |
2006 | Donte Whitner, Buff. | SS | 104 | 67 | 37 |
2005 | Lofa Tatupu, Sea. | MLB | 104 | 85 | 19 |
2014 | Telvin Smith, Jac. | OLB | 104 | 72 | 32 |
2004 | Madieu Williams, Cin. | FS | 103 | 86 | 17 |
2004 | Teddy Lehman, Det. | OLB | 102 | 75 | 27 |
2003 | Mike Doss, Ind. | SS | 102 | 73 | 29 |
2010 | Alterraun Verner, Tenn. | CB | 101 | 85 | 16 |
2004 | Erik Coleman, NYJ | FS | 100 | 73 | 27 |
2002 | Chris Cash, Det. | CB | 100 | 87 | 13 |
--Andy Richardson