Alex Taylor Overview
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 308 lbs
Arms: 36 1/8”
Hands: 11 ¼”
School: South Carolina State
NFL Combine Performance Data
40 Yard Dash: 5.09 seconds
Three Cone Drill: 7.77 seconds
Bench Press: 21 reps
Vertical Jump: 25”
Broad Jump: 116”
Alex Taylor 2020 NFL Draft Profile
Alex Taylor is originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina. He’s got a family history in sports. In fact, his father and two of his uncles played college football. However, Taylor began his collegiate athletic career as a basketball player. He played for Appalachian State before transferring to South Carolina State, both times to play basketball. Taylor Finally made the switch to football in time for the 2018 college football season. Consequently, he’s only played in two football seasons at the college level.
Taylor’s lack of experience will be a question mark for teams. Teams that are looking into him will undoubtedly be probing to make sure that he loves the game of football. Is it his passion? Despite the lack of experience and rawness to Taylor’s game, his size and length are desirable in the NFL, especially at his position. Taylor started all 22 games his junior and senior years at right tackle. As a junior, Taylor was a third team All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection. He followed that up with another good year his senior year. Taylor was a third team AP All American and achieved first team All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors for the 2019 season.
Strengths
- Ideal size and length to be an offensive lineman in the NFL;
- Good pocket awareness and desire to keep the area clear for quarterback;
- Basketball background have helped foot speed and fluidity;
- His length and movement require rushers to take longer paths to the quarterback;
- Experience and comfort in pass protection.
Weaknesses
- Only played two years of college football;
- Although tall and lengthy, his strength leaves more to be desired;
- Needs to be careful with hand placement when grappling with defenders so as not to draw holding calls;
- Flexibility and bend could be a liability in the run game;
- He needs to do a better job at recognizing defensive counters;
- Doesn’t have the strength or technique to reset after initial scrum with defender
NFL Comparison: George Fant
Teams With Need at Position: Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projection: Mid third to fifth round
Bottom Line on Alex Taylor
Taylor is a raw NFL prospect. His lack of experience and technique don’t help his draft stock. For those reasons, he is a developmental prospect. Whatever team drafts him will do so with the understanding that he will be a project. However, that doesn’t mean Taylor can’t grow.
Taylor’s potential is high enough to be a quality starter in the NFL. His size, length, and willingness to learn could go a long way for him. He needs to add to his functional strength. For a man of his size, he should be able to handle defenders better than he does currently. Of course, time in the weight room will fill out his frame better. Because of Taylor’s upside, he could go as early as the third round, but there will be teams willing to wait if he falls.
Main photo:
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