Best Player Available at #51: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

Measurements: 5'11", 192 lbs, Arms- 30 3/4", Hands- 9 1/8"

Combine Results:

40 Yard Dash- 4.39 seconds (12th overall), Bench Press- 22 reps (1st for CBs), Vertical- 35 inches, Broad Jump- 127 inches, 3 Cone Drill- 6.82 seconds, 20 Yard Shuffle- 4.06 seconds (6 for DBs)

Related: 2013 NFL mock draft: Jamar Taylor to Washington Redskins - SBNation.com

Overview:

Jamar Taylor was a relatively unknown player a year ago, but after a break out senior year and very impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and combine his stock has skyrocketed. So much so that now many project him to be a late first round selection. It is pretty unlikely that he will still be available at 51 for the Redskins, but it should not be considered a foregone conclusion for several reasons. This year's draft boasts a very deep and talented cornerback class and it is possible that as many as 7 players at the position could be selected before Taylor hears his name called. He is also not the biggest cornerback, and there are rumors that multiple teams are not willing to draft a corner under 6 feet tall that early on. Most draft experts also don't see him going extremely high either as only one major mock has him slotted to go higher than 28th, and several of them don't even have him going in the first round (Kiper, McShay, Brooks, Rang and Miller among others). Even the great Mike Mayock has him ranked as only the 51^st best prospect (51^st huh?). With all that being said, it would still be a major coup to land him. I'm just saying that it might not take Jim Haslett building a blue football field in his back yard, ala Field of Dreams, for Jamar Taylor to come to Washington.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

There isn't much that Jamar Taylor doesn't do well. The versatile corner excels in both man and zone coverage, and has the skills to effectively play in the slot or at safety. He possesses quick feet, smooth fluid hips and excellent straight line speed which enable him to stick with receivers on short, intermediate and especially deep routes. In other words he is an adept cover corner, and it can be a tall order for receivers to get separation against him. Taylor is not big in stature, but he certainly doesn't play small. He actually may be the strongest corner in the 2013 draft, and he plays an aggressive and physical style of football. This makes him very comfortable around the line of scrimmage, where he doesn't shy away from tackling in the run game, and is frequently called on to blitz from the cornerback spot or off the edge.

Taylor has the brains in addition to the brawn. He is a cerebral and patient corner that rarely gambles, and who uses his keen instincts to identify the play and get to the ball quickly. He is a student of the game and has been praised for his hard work, intelligence and leadership. Taylor was a team captain and the leader of a Boise State defense that ranked in the top 12 nationally in overall defense, passing defense, scoring defense, opponents QB rating and passing TDs allowed (1^st overall).

The only major knocks against him are that his smaller size and shorter than average arms may hinder his ability to excel as a press corner at the next level and that his size and technique sometimes make it difficult for him to shed wide receiver blocks and cause him to miss tackles in the running and short passing game.

How he would fit with the Redskins:

If the Redskins are lucky enough to have Jamar Taylor fall into their laps in the 2^nd round, then they would be getting a player that could make an immediate impact on Jim Haslett's pathetic 30th ranked pass defense. He could play on the outside when DeAngelo Hall goes inside to defend slot receivers and could also do this if Hall is asked to play more at safety this year. He even has the ability to push for a starting role on this defense. And personally if Taylor and another corner were drafted then I would say goodbye to Josh Wilson and his $4m cap hit, and sleep comfortably at night after doing so.

Jamar Taylor would bring and instant injection of youth and talent to a Redskins' secondary that is lacking in both areas. His aggressive style and excellent coverage skills would be a major upgrade for the defense as a whole. Trust me when I tell you that selecting Taylor with the 51^st pick would turn out much better for the Redskins than it did the last time they used a second round pick to acquire a J. Taylor. If by some chance he is still there when they pick at 51, then Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen may have a Brandon Meriweather-Aldrick Robinson like collision when they simultaneously beeline to the war room phone to make the pick.