NFL Draft 2016: Myles Jack, four other projected 1st round picks to undergo medical re-evaluations

UCLA linebacker Myles Jack was among five projected first-round picks in this month's NFL Draft to be asked to return to Indianapolis this week for a medical re-check, according to NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang.

Jack sat out the positional drills and agility tests at the NFL Combine in February while continuing his rehab from knee surgery, and was one of several top prospects that NFL teams want to have the most current medical information on.

The 2016 NFL Draft is full of "damaged goods." Even Mississippi left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the popular projected No. 1 overall pick, had a playing career marred by injuries. As noted by The Sports Xchange publisher Frank Cooney, Tunsil missed several games over his career for a variety of injuries, including a sprained knee, torn right biceps, fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle.

So, who was invited back to Indianapolis this year?

In the cloak and dagger world of the NFL Draft, teams are especially hesitant to give away medical secrets, but NFLDraftScout.com reported that five popular projected first-round picks are among the estimated "35 or so" players who have been asked to return this Indianapolis this week for medical re-evaluations.

Those players include Jack (knee), Clemson edge rusher Shaq Lawson (shoulder), Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman (sports hernia), Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith (knee) and Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller (knee), each of whom have been or remain among the prospects atop NFLDraftScout.com's rankings.

Lawson is the lone player among these top prospects to have not undergone surgery. According to a report from Albert Breer of NFL.com, however, he wore a brace throughout last season and briefly was sidelined Nov. 7 against Florida State after "tweaking" the injury. The shoulder was "flagged" by some teams at the combine, prompting the return trip for the highly regarded edge rusher.

Among other highly regarded NFL prospects expected to attend this week's re-check include Utah running back Devontae Booker (knee), TCU wide receiver Kolby Listenbee (sports hernia), Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) and Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison (knee), NFL sources told NFLDraftScout.com.

The return to Indianapolis could be especially bad news for Higbee, who already is fighting a serious knock to his reputation after being arrested Sunday morning on charges of second-degree assault, alcohol intoxication in a public place and second-degree fleeing or evading police following a fight outside of a Bowling Green bar.

If teams receive positive reports regarding these players, their projected draft stock may not change at all. A poor grade, however, could have a major impact on where prospects are ultimately drafted.

Last year provided a perfect example of both situations. NFL teams were satisfied with the recovery from torn ACLs by former Georgia running back Todd Gurley (the then-St. Louis Rams) and Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (Cincinnati Bengals), and both players wound up being selected in the first round despite missing most of their final seasons in college football due to the injuries.

The news wasn't so good for former Pittsburgh offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings, a one-time projected first-round pick who fell to the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) in part due to medical concerns.

The combine rechecks take place April 14-15.

--NFLDraftScout.com is a property of The Sports Xchange, distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com. Analysis from Rob Rang contributed to this report.