Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Myles Jack make it to the 2020 Pro Bowl?

Does a move back to the outside give Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack a better chance at the Pro Bowl?

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free agent linebacker Joe Schobert, who will be their starting middle linebacker, which means Myles Jack will move to outside linebacker on the strong side.

And that’s a good thing.

Schobert was the Cleveland Brown’s fourth-round pick in 2016 and was their starting middle linebacker since his rookie season. He was also a Pro Bowler in 2017, and the past two years had better statistics than his new teammate. This was a good signing for the Jaguars, not just for what he brings to the position but how it will help the other linebackers on the roster.

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There has been a lot of discussion about Jack not having a good season last year, and there may be some truth to that, but it wasn’t as bad as some might think. He was playing middle linebacker with less talented and less experienced players at the outside backer positions. And because he was the only returning starter from the unit, adjusting to the newness of the situation did have an effect on him and others he played with.

In 2017 Myles played alongside Paul Posluszny in the middle and with Telvin Smith at the other outside backer position. Posluszny had Jack and Smith outside – Jack had Leon Jacobs and rookie Quincy Williams outside last year. If Smith hadn’t retired last year what might have Jack’s statistics looked like? He spent most of last year trying to make up for the play of the outside backers, which make people think he didn’t perform well. They are mistaken.

The move back to the outside will aid Jack tremendously. He won’t have to call all the defensive plays, so he’ll have more time to focus on his position and concentrate on his responsibilities during team meetings and practice.

While playing alongside Posluszny in 2017, Myles had 107 tackles. Joe Schobert was tied for the league lead that year with 114. Think about that. Two of the better linebackers in the NFL playing side-by-side on the same team for the team is only going to help them both, and it will help the third linebacker too.

Knowing that they don’t have to worry about the guy playing next to them gives all the linebackers the freedom to focus on their responsibilities and play loose.

Jack’s speed and athleticism are well suited for an outside linebacker. He has the ability to cover the tight end and can run down a lot of players. Every Jaguars fan knows that “Myles Jack wasn’t down”.

He has great instincts for the ball and with Schobert playing in the middle should get back to the number of tackles he had during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

If the Jacksonville Jaguars get better play out of the defensive tackle position opposing teams will have to run to the outside, which will for the linebackers to come up and help in run defense. Fans should see Jack’s numbers improve next season.

He has the talent and ability to be a Pro Bowler every year. Here’s hoping the other positions on defense improve their play. If they do, there’s a good chance Myles Jacks makes a Pro Bowl appearance for the Jacksonville Jaguars.