The 2024 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Leonard Taylor 2024 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Interior Defensive Lineman
School: Miami
Size: 6-foot-3, 305 pounds
Class: Junior
2023 stats: 19 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Taylor made an impact early on in his Miami career and that remained through his college career. Now he is in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As a five-star recruit in the class of 2021, Taylor decided to stay home in Miami and play for the Hurricanes. He immediately played, registering 21 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a freshman. His play helped the Hurricanes win seven games on the year. In 2022, Taylor broke out with 24 total tackles, 10.5 sacks and three sacks. Despite his good play, Miami won just five games in 2022. For the 2023 season, Taylor totaled 19 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He led Miami to a 7-5 record.
Following the season, Taylor declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick.
Taylor has a solid frame for an NFL interior defensive lineman. He stands 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds and looks like he can add to his frame. He will need to add strength to improve his power as a player. While he does have to work on his strength, his length is solid, which helps him disengage from blocks quicker than other interior players.
Especially for his size, Taylor is a good athlete. He has a quick jump at the snap of the ball. That quick jump can turn into solid speed. He can move laterally decently well too. While he doesn’t have the best flexibility, it is average and helps his overall athletic ability. He can put pressure on the defense with his ability to attack gaps quickley.
Early in his career, Taylor showed pass rushing production. This was a product of his athletic ability, but also for his pass rush plan. He has a plan for every snap and a few go-to moves. Taylor showed off a rip, swim and spin move.
Taylor is too small to be used as a true nose tackle, but was put in that position at times at Miami. He struggled to produce and some of that may have to do with his responsibilities not fitting his talents. If used properly, he can produce more.
At times, Taylor can struggle to shed against the run. Again, some of this may have been due to misuse, but he still has to free himself sooner to help more against the run. He can also show better gap integrity to be a better team defender.
He has a few mechanical things to improve to help him as well. Taylor’s pad level can get too high sometimes. He needs to keep his pad level low to maintain his power and ability to disengage. His hands can also strike with better placement.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
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