One thing I enjoy doing each NFL Draft season is trying to find those diamonds in the rough that may get overlooked by other pundits. Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has shown that he loves players with a good story, and Trey Taylor fits the mold of a player Poles might fall in love with.
A three-star recruit by 247Sports, Taylor committed to Air Force, where he didn't log a game in his first two seasons for the Falcons. During these two seasons, Taylor added 20 pounds and bulked up from 185 pounds to 205 pounds. After getting the starting nod for the Falcons in 2021, Taylor proceeded to start 36 of a possible 38 contests.
Taylor, a cousin to Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, had his best showing in 2023 as he contributed 71 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups, and a defensive touchdown. His season was so strong that he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back, becoming the first Falcon to ever capture the honor and only the second Air Force player to win a major college football award.
Taylor was named third-team All-America by the Associated Press, another honor he was the first to bestow for the Falcons since Weston Steelhammer (awesome name) in 2016.
#CFB G5 Spotlight
— HERO Sports (@HERO_SportsCFB) July 24, 2023
Air Force (@AF_Football) defensive back Trey Taylor (@trey_taylor007)
-2023 sr.
-6-foot, 210 lbs
-All-Mountain West second team
-69 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, 2 interceptions and 1 sack in 2022pic.twitter.com/d4DsEQpdCO
Taylor seems like the type of player Poles would salivate over at the end of the draft. Well-decorated and a true leader, he reminds me of a defensive version of Roschon Johnson. His teammates adore him, and he's willing to do whatever it takes so that his team can succeed.
Taylor's zone technique (a cornerstone in Matt Eberflus' defense) needs to be coached up and improved, but he'd provide valuable insurance behind Jaquan Brisker. Brisker, who has missed time in his first two seasons in the NFL because of concussions, consistently plays with a fire that opens himself to being dinged up. Taylor would be an excellent depth piece who could fill in for Brisker while also playing a pivotal role on special teams.
Pro Comp: Adrian Amos
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