A Look at Vincent Taylor’s Draft Stock

It’s the week of the NFL Draft and if you’re like me, you like to watch just to see which former Cowboys will hear their name called from the podium. Vincent Taylor may have as good a chance as any of them at a successful NFL career.

A redshirt junior in 2016, Taylor is scheduled to graduate next month but he should already have a job. His resume? Back-to-back seasons as one of the best players on two 10-win defenses in the Big 12, an apparently thankless task.

In 2016, Taylor led the Cowboys in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (13.0) and was tied for most kicks/punts block nationally with 4. Beyond the numbers, he was a difference maker and the driving force in Oklahoma State’s defense.

But how do NFL experts and scouts view the All-Big 12 defender?

ProFootballFocus lauds Taylor for his athleticism and ability to collapse the pocket. Their biggest critique seems to be consistency and gap discipline, stating that he’s sometimes overly aggressive.

If not for the depth in this class of defensive lineman, Taylor would undoubtedly have received more attention. He put together a remarkably impressive junior year, flashing an outstanding physical skillset. Taylor is already a well-developed pass-rusher, despite his tender years. In order to succeed at nose tackle in the NFL, however, he’ll need to improve against the run. Although Taylor flashed a spectacular skillset, consistency remains elusive. [PFF]

Taylor demonstrated his upper body strength while at the NFL Draft Combine earning “top performer” marks on the bench press. That’s the same strength that scouts for NFL.com saw when grading him.

Fires out of his stance with some gas. Can win the early battle for neutral zone. Able to create push at point of attack and make plays on other side of line. Plus upper body strength. Bench-press numbers are impressive. Can toss blockers aside and win the gap late in the rep. Has long arms and active hands in passing lane. Motor is adequate and he’ll give an honest chase to the ball. Not a stagnant rusher. Looks to find blocker’s edge and has posted solid sack production. [NFL]

Their concerns focus more on his lack of flexibility, citing stiff ankles and a high center of gravity. Which led to their projection of Taylor in the 5-6 round range this weekend.

The projections for Taylor, who recently said he didn’t even think about the Draft until the media brought it up, have been as high as rounds 3-4 to one NFL.com mock draft having him fall to the seventh round. At this point and for a player like Taylor, a lot will depend on need. If another tackle gets robbed from a team’s draft board, he could easily move up.

At this point, Taylor just needs to get his foot and the door and work from there which is good because it sounds like that’s what he’s intent on doing. There are some deficiencies in his game as noted above but he’s got the athleticism and skillset to be a successful role player at the next level.

“Looking at my numbers from my sophomore year (48 tackles and 8.5 sacks in 2015) and last season, a lot of people said there wasn’t more I could do at [the college] level,” he told the Tulsa World.

It should be a fun weekend and there are several Cowboys to keep tabs on. Keep it here for more draft coverage.