Myles Jack, tainted by knee trouble, wouldn't take draft slide personally

Former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack was once thought to be a lock to be selected in the first 10 picks of Thursday's draft, but concerns over his long-term health due to a knee injury have caused some to speculate he'll be the victim of a draft day fall.

Jack is believed to be dealing with a chondral defect in his right knee, which could cause his career to be cut short, with the New York Giants reportedly going as far as taking him off their draft board.

However, while Jack admits he could need surgery in the future because of the knee issue, he believes the short careers of the average NFL player means he isn't more of a risk than any other prospect.

"(The degenerative problems are) there, but it's nothing extreme," Jack told Bart Hubbuch of The New York Post on Wednesday. "Down the line, possibly I could have microfracture surgery - potentially. Who knows what will happen? Nobody knows how long anybody is going to play in this league. To play three years in this league would be above average."

If some teams do pass on him in the first round, Jack won't hold it against them.

"I would understand if I fell," Jack said. "This is a talented draft class, so if I was to fall, I wouldn't take it personally."

Jack was unable to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine in February, and was limited in his pro day in March, but is expected to be healthy for the start of the 2016 season.