Nose Tackle/Defensive Tackle

Baylor

6-3 334

Draft board overall prospect rank: #58

Draft board overall nose tackle rank: #2

Overall rating: 76 (late 2^nd)

40 time: 5.18

4/19/11: Reports have surfaced that Taylor has an inoperable foot condition that could limit his career length.

Inoperable foot condition + 330+ pound body = not a good combination. 

3/22/11: Phil Taylor is a classic “kid turning around his life” story. At Penn State, he was kicked off the football team, after an on campus fight, and at some points had ballooned up to 390 pounds. He transferred to Baylor, spent two years there, and now weighs in at 6-3 334, at his Pro Day. He moves like 334 pound men should not be able to move. He’s a very good pass rusher for his size and is getting a few looks as a 4-3 tackle, in addition to as a 3-4 nose tackle.

The character reasons are not completely a thing of the past and he never really dominated at the collegiate level, but a strong draft preseason has him in late first round consideration. He dominated the Senior Bowl and showed his athleticism at the Combine. He’s the top nose tackle in this class and with so many teams moving to a 3-4, he won’t be on the board much past the early 2^nd round. Again, as I mentioned, he can play a 4-3. Both the Broncos and the Saints have expressed interest in him as a 4-3 tackle.

He’s explosive and takes on double teams well. He can shed and stack defenders and constantly drew double teams even as a 4-3 tackle at Baylor. He moves and pass rushes well for his size and has decent chase speed. Durability is still going to be an issue for him. Even after slimming down for the Senior Bowl, he had trouble going all out every play. He might be just a situational player in the NFL at first, but he can dominate when he does play and he’s more agile and durable, not to mention versatile, than Terrence Cody.

NFL Comparison: Shaun Rogers