Keith Taylor 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6’-3”
Weight: 195 pounds
School: Washington
Keith Taylor 2021 NFL Draft Profile
From Servite High School in Anaheim, Keith Taylor was a highly-touted four-star recruit who had offers from various PAC-12 programs, including Utah, Oregon, and Washington. The 59th ranked recruit in California in the class of 2017, Taylor ultimately chose to play for Chris Peterson and the Washington Huskies.
One of the reasons that Keith Taylor most likely went to Washington was their proven development of defensive backs, including Sidney Jones who was drafted in the second round in 2016. However, with this fact also came the difficulty of gaining consistent playing time on defense. As a freshman, Taylor did not receive many snaps on defense with five future NFL players in the secondary. The secondary was headlined by Byron Murphy and Taylor Rapp, but Jojo McIntosh, Jordan Miller, and Myles Bryant were also on NFL rosters at some point. Despite this depth, Taylor did play on special teams for 12 games and appeared on defense for five, posting eight tackles.
The following season, Taylor was destined for a larger role on defense. With the boundary corners all but set, Taylor played in Nickel and Dime packages in the slot, defending tight ends and slot receivers with his solid frame. He played in all 14 games, but just eight on defense, and had three passes defended and 1.5 tackles for loss. With his physicality and frame, Taylor did struggle a fair share in the slot, setting up his transition to a boundary corner in his junior season.
2019 turned out to be the most productive season in Keith Taylor’s career. He finally earned the opportunity to move to his natural position, a boundary corner. But, Taylor still played a decent number of snaps in the slot. He had a career-high five passes defended, 59 tackles, and two tackles for loss. Taylor’s tackling also improved when he gained more playing time, often securing tackles out on the edge in the run game. He had an excellent bowl game against Boise State, defending two passes and finishing with three tackles. Finally, in his senior season, Taylor played in four games in the shortened PAC-12 season.
As a whole, Taylor had a solid career at Washington, displaying his speed and physicality in man coverage and versatility with his excellent size at the cornerback position. However, there were a few disappointing aspects in Taylor’s college career. First, he did not have an interception at Washington, which could be indicative of his ball skills at the next level. He also didn’t always take advantage of his frame in college as he didn’t consistently play press, often giving up “free” receptions. Finally, Taylor declared for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility.
Strengths
- Excellent physical toolbox with 4.56 40-yard dash, 6’-3’’ frame, and 195 pounds;
- Uses size and hands well in press coverage with the ability to cover the most physical receivers at the next level;
- Has shown solid tackling ability in open space, which could be important on special teams;
- Versatility on defense as he has played in the slot and on the boundary;
- Improved every season at Washington; good balance between “NFL readiness” and upside;
Weaknesses
- Did not display any ball skills in college with the lack of interceptions and forced fumbles;
- May not have the agility and quickness to play in the slot in the NFL and cover the shiftier receivers;
- Does not have too much experience in zone coverage, primarily a man corner;
- While he is physical in man coverage, it could lead to penalties in the NFL;
NFL Comparison: Adonis Alexander
Teams with a Need at Cornerback: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Green Bay Packers
Projection: 4th-6th Round
Bottom Line on Keith Taylor
With his size, ability to play man coverage, and speed, Keith Taylor can be one of the steals of the 2021 NFL Draft. If he receives solid coaching on proper hand usage to reduce penalties, then Taylor has the chance to develop into a starting boundary corner. While he doesn’t have elite speed, his press skills should be able to make up for his average speed. His tackling ability should also be able to be refined into passable for a starting corner.
Early in the NFL career, Taylor will most likely be a major contributor on special teams and potentially see time on the field in Nickel or Dime situations. As he cleans up his technique, he could start seeing the field in his natural corner spot. Out of college, Adonis Alexander is a solid prospect comparison, but William Jackson III is also another adequate comparison at the NFL level. Although William Jackson III possesses elite speed, which Taylor does not have, both players fit a similar mold as they are man corners with the ability to play physical press coverage.
In a solid cornerbacks class, headlined by Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn, and Caleb Farley, Taylor will most likely be a day three pick due to his limitations against shiftier receivers and the lack of film in his senior season and pro day. But, Taylor is a fundamentally sound player who should be a contributor, whether that be in Dime packages or on special teams, right away in the NFL, with one of the highest potentials of any day three pick.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
