Andy Lewis-USA TODAY Sports

Miami DL Prospect Taylor Talks Pierce, Raiders

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Carter Landis | Last updated 2/29/24

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Las Vegas Raiders have begun meeting with 2024 NFL Draft prospects at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Raiders are looking for defensive line help, and fortunately for them, there are several talented defensive linemen in this draft class, many of whom can play multiple positions.

Las Vegas has young talent on their defensive line, but they can always add more. Whether they are looking for a player to eat up blocks in the middle or find more depth off the edge, the Raiders have a good chance to find what they are looking for.

One player who could bolster their interior is Miami’s Leonard Taylor III. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle has met with the Raiders and spoke about what it would mean to be a part of the Silver and Black.

“I met with every team, basically,” he told me. “The Raiders, it wouldn’t be bad to play for them. I’ll go out there and still give my best and everything I’ve got at the end of the day.”

Taylor was open to playing for Coach Antonio Pierce, a former NFL player and Super Bowl Champion.

“It would be great,” he said. “Just knowing that, playing next to him, he was a real dominant player. He was able to do such and such in the backfield and all that, so it would be crazy. It would be live.”

Taylor finished his Hurricanes career with 64 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and six sacks. He was named All-ACC Honorable Mention.

Taylor is a strong, explosive lineman who can stop the run and rush the passer from anywhere along the defensive line. Several versatile defensive linemen are hoping to hear their names called, and Taylor is one of them.

The Raiders saw improvement on the defensive line in Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s second season but hope to become one of the best defensive line units in the league. Pierce knows a dominant defensive line can win a Super Bowl, as he played with one on the New York Giants.

If the Raiders want to find an explosive athlete for their interior defensive line, Taylor could be a good fit.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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