Overview
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 319 pounds
School: Western Michigan Broncos
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds
Bench press: 23 reps
Vertical jump: 30.5 inches (third among offensive linemen)
Broad jump: 9 feet, 1 inch
Three-cone drill: 7.73 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.58 seconds (tied for fourth among offensive linemen)
Taylor Moton 2017 NFL Draft Profile
It’s quite understandable that Taylor Moton isn’t the most hyped Western Michigan NFL draft prospect this year. After all, his Bronco teammate Corey Davis put together a historic season and career as a whole at wide receiver. But both helped build the program over the past four seasons and played their part in the team’s undefeated regular season last year.
Moton received one Power Five offer from Indiana but committed to WMU as a relatively unheralded two-star prospect in 2012. After redshirting, he embarked on a path that saw him start every single game he appeared in for the Broncos the rest of the way. He spent three of those four seasons on the outside protecting the quarterback’s blind side at right tackle. But in 2015, he temporarily transitioned to guard.
Returning to tackle last year, Moton helped anchor an offensive line that allowed a mere 16 sacks and 57 tackles for loss. Those totals were tied for 16th and seventh respectively among FBS schools. The Broncos also boasted an immensely balanced offense that ranked tenth nationally with 6,737 total yards (3,204 rush, 3,533 pass). It all helped the program clinch its first MAC championship since 1988.
Strengths
- arm length and hand size ideal for NFL caliber tackle;
- massively built lower body with tree trunk thighs;
- quickly engages target in run blocking with good knee bend and pad level;
- effective at sustaining blocks in pass protection;
- a bully when down blocking linebackers in the second level;
- comfortable filling double duty handling multiple rushers in zone blocking;
- has the versatility to move over to guard if need be;
- highly experienced player who started all four years in college;
- kept highly rated draft prospect T.J. Watt in check during Cotton Bowl.
Weaknesses
- kick slide footwork in defending perimeter is very stubby;
- needs wider legs when quick setting to avoid losing base leverage;
- often engages rushers at too acute an angle in pass pro;
- has to do a better job squaring body against speed rushers;
- had issues maintaining balance and body control when blocking at goal line;
- might be limited to zone blocking schemes at next level.
NFL Comparison: D.J. Humphries
Teams With Need at Position: Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks
Projection: late second to early third round
Bottom Line
Moton is one of the more experienced prospects at any position in this year’s draft class. He made a total of 51 starts during his college career and capped it off with a conference title and an impressive performance against high level Big Ten opposition in the bowl game. Teams like what he brings to the table in terms of body type, versatility and ability to win with power. Though his footwork needs improvement and he may be more suited to playing guard at the next level, Moton’s ceiling in the right system and with quality coaching is that of a regular starter.
