Does a nice job extending his arms and keeping his pad level down at the point of attack vs. the run game and displays a better anchor than his overall frame would indicate inside vs. the double team. Isn't dominant at the point, but has enough base strength to hold his ground vs. the double even when run at inside.
Also displays the kind of initial get off to shoot gaps inside, maintain a low pad level while surging up the field and create plays behind the line. However, he struggles to consistently break down on contact once he makes his way into the backfield and is too often pushed past the play once he gains a step.
Doesn't work his hands nearly as well as a pass rusher and is at his best using his athleticism to stunt and change directions inside. Gets caught with his pad level too upright when trying to laterally slip blocks and looks most effective when simply asked to one-gap or stunt inside.
Impression: Versatility might be the biggest attribute he has going for him. He's a long, rangy athlete who can make plays away from his frame and be stout at the point of attack. I think he could end up being a solid/average interior lineman at the next level, but I think his real calling could be as an athletic 3-4 defensive end."
Positive: One-time highly rated defensive tackle who's had a lot of injury problems lately. Fires off the snap with a nice first step, plays with good pad level, and works his hands throughout the action. Fluid changing direction, chases hard, and shows solid body strength. Keeps his feet moving up the field and gets a good amount momentum going in a straight line.
Negative: Can be turned from the action by a single blocker. Lacks playing balance. Easily knocked from the action by the first block. Has struggled to stay healthy for more than a year.
Analysis: Taylor looked like the next top tackle from the Oklahoma program but has been unable to stay healthy since the end of his junior season. At one time considered a potential first round pick, he presently grades as a medical risk."
Negatives: Plays too upright at times... Gets pushed off the LOS... Loses balance going down the line... Can be washed out of the play... Rotates a lot... Can wear down toward the end of games... Not much of an arsenal... Average closing speed... Played out of position at 4-3 NT for Oklahoma... Injury concerns, broke ankle in 2009 Sun Bowl, tore Achilles in mid-November and missed remainder of season... Did not make much of an impact in 2010, played on a bad ankle that did not heal 100 percent... Sleeper, was a third round prospect prior to injuries."
Strengths: Big, thick and light on his feet. Athletic and strong, and is quick off of the ball. Keeps his feet, ties up blockers and stays alive on running plays; pushes the pocket on the pass rush. Long, strong arms and a big lower unit. Ideal NT or 4-3 DT, and still has room to grow and get stronger.
Weaknesses: Injured as of late; may raise red flags for NFL teams. Did not improve as a senior due to playing in pain and missing starts. Needs technique work, and didn't make as many plays pre-injury as his athleticism warranted, particularly on the pass rush.
Projection: Had he not been hurt, could have really moved up draft boards with the anticipated strong senior season, but it was not to be. May petition for another year of eligibility, but more likely will come out and be a solid choice in the fourth/fifth round area. If he stays healthy, is far too talented to not make a roster and should end up a starter down the road."
Things started going bad at the end of the 2009 season. In the Sun Bowl against Stanford, Taylor dislocated his ankle early in the contest. Fighting back from that gruesome injury was admirable. He started off a little slow, but Taylor was starting to come back into his old form when another injury hit. Taylor tore his Achilles' tendon in his right leg against Texas Tech in early November.
Taylor's stock has dropped fast because of his injuries. It remains to be seen if he can come back from the latest injury and if he can stay healthy even if he does. That puts Taylor in a tough position. He has the talent to play in the NFL, but at best he will be drafted late by a team that is willing to take a chance on a sleeper defensive tackle who will need some time to regain his strength."
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.