NFL Draft: Sports Illustrated Has 3 UCLA Bruins Going in the First 3 Rounds

Three UCLA Football players are being predicted to get selected in the first three rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft by Sports Illustrated’s recent mock draft.

Sports Illustrated recently posted their most recent predictions for the 2016 NFL Draft and if it is any indication of how draft day will go, there is a possibility that three UCLA Bruins will be selected in the first three rounds.

Well played, Bruins. Well played.

This year’s NFL Draft should be one of the most exciting for the UCLA Football team in recent years. The Bruins had a record nine players invited to the NFL Combine where several helped improve their draft stock.

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Some of that seems to have translated for three Bruins who could hear their name called on the first day of the draft. Here are SI’s predictions:

Myles Jack, LB – #7 (Round 1) San Francisco 49ers

Kenny Clark, DL – #38 (Round 2) Jacksonville Jaguars

Paul Perkins, RB – #73 (Round 3) Miami Dolphins

Despite ending his UCLA career early due to a knee injury, Jack’s work has preceded him in just over two years of playing college football.

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Jack has been getting a lot of attention by draft experts and is all but guaranteed to be taken in the Top 10.

Unfortunately, his injury has become a factor for most teams. As Chris Burke of SI writes, “Assuming Jack’s methodical recovery has him ready for 2016, landing him at no. 7 would be a steal.”

Clark was the bright spot on a defensive line that had trouble stopping the run. He was fierce, strong and was able to get at the ball carrier in the back field. It was because of these qualities that Bruin fans were hoping he would return for his senior season, especially being matched up with Eddie Vanderdoes.

Perkins was the quintessential workhorse for the UCLA Bruin offense. In his sophomore year he was the top running back in the Pac-12. Last season, he nearly pulled off that achievement again with 1,343 yards, good for third in the conference.

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And for you Los Angeles Rams fans, as you may know, they recently acquired the #1 draft pick and SI is predicting them to select QB Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State.