Philadelphia Eagles 2020 NFL Draft grades: Jalen Hurts coming aboard
Taylor (6-foot, 228 pounds) is built more like a safety than a linebacker. He’s got speed to burn (4.49 40 at the NFL Combine), as a former high school track star would, with a total of 18 tackles for loss over his two years as a starter for Colorado. He was also used extensively in the slot during his career in the Pac-12, where he took on slot receivers, tight ends and running backs in coverage.
Taylor took the junior college route to Boulder, after religious beliefs kept him from being able to play games on Friday or Saturday nights in high school. So he’s a very raw prospect, but the Eagles needed a talent injection at linebacker and Taylor provides that in spades.
Third-round picks straddle the line between players who are expected to contribute quickly, and those who are drafted based on traits and upside. Taylor has moldable traits, with his best football probably still in front of him, and the Eagles have snaps open to being earned in the back two levels of their defense.