Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Vincent Taylor, DL

Vincent Taylor, DL
School: Oklahoma State | Conference: BIG-12
College Experience: Junior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 304 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd or 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Jaye Howard

College Statistics

Player Overview

Vincent Taylor is a New Orleans native that was displaced by Hurricane Katrina back in 2005 when he was just 10 years old. He and his family relocated to San Antonio, Texas where he picked up football in high school. He picked it up quickly and aside from Oklahoma State received offers from Baylor, Texas Tech, Purdue, and Vanderbilt. What makes Taylor really impressive is the combination of speed and burst he plays with. Frankly, I’m surprised there isn’t more out there on him as I view him as one of the most disruptive DTs in the entire draft. Taylor can time the snap and gets a jumps on the ball just as well as any DL in this class. He usually commands a double team because of his quick twitch and gap busting ability. There is no lack of gas in his tank as he will pursue the ball until the whistle blows. If Taylor lasts till the third round be may provide one of the best values at DL in this draft.

Strengths

• Plays with exciting power and quickness. A pocket collapser that consistently finds a way to make the QB uncomfortable.
• Wins with his strength and active hands. Commands double teams at times and can still get home at the right angle.
• Never stagnant and works hard virtually ever rep. Excellent motor.
• Takes advantage of inside gap on blockers led to his outstanding sack and TFL totals this year.

Weaknesses

• Consistently high pad level, when he can’t win with power and burst his penetration is relegated to non-impactful lateral movements. Most of his issues come from compromised leverage.
• North / South pass rusher and gap filler which limits his ability to be effective.
• Doesn't have a developed repertoire of pass rush moves.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Taylor provides tremendous value and upside as a disruptive pass rushing DT in the mid rounds. Apologies for not including any draftbreakdown videos (this profile was originally started back in late January) they haven't been made yet and I will wait no longer! If you are interested in seeing Taylor (#96) in more established game action there are whole Oklahoma State games on youtube just waiting to be broken down. The videos I looked at for this profile were WVU, Kansas State, and Texas Tech. I think he fits what the Redskins are looking for immediately in a rotational lineman and maybe more eventually. With his size, Taylor may be best suited to play the 5-tech position in the base defense where he could use his pass rush skills off the edge. Something tells me though you want this kid in the middle wrecking things up. Taylor will have to get with coach Tomsula to correct a lot of things but he has the physical tools to make an impact and already compared physically to current starting DL including Kawann Short and new Redskins Stacy McGee. If Taylor can develop one or two more moves to complement his bull rush and he learns how to consistently play lower the team that lands him will have a cooking with gas moment.