The Spaz
04-16-2004, 10:13 AM
With so many teams searching for help in the secondary, defensive backs are at a premium in this year's NFL draft. At the top of the list is University of Miami free safety Sean Taylor, who will be selected within the first 10 picks of the April 24-25 draft.
Once Taylor is drafted, the defensive back focus will shift to cornerback. DeAngelo Hall of Virginia Tech, Dunta Robinson of South Carolina, and Chris Gamble of Ohio State are considered the best corners of this year's class, and each player is expected to hear his name called during the first round of the draft.
Sean Taylor, Miami-FL
Height: 6-2 Weight: 231 Likely Draft Position: Early-First Round Possible Destinations: Redskins, Texans, Lions, Patriots NFL Comparison: Ronnie Lott
Blessed with the soft hands of a receiver, the speed of a corner, and the size of a small linebacker, Taylor is rated by some scouts as the best overall player in the draft. Although he probably won't be selected with the first pick overall, he will undoubtedly be the first defensive player chosen. Taylor's big hit ability scored him several highlight reel appearances on Sports Center, but he's more than just a heavy hitter. When Miami played Pittsburgh last season, Taylor was often placed in man-to-man coverage against Larry Fitzgerald. Taylor did such a good job in the game that he helped Miami hold the wideout sensation to just 24 receiving yards. Even more impressive is that Taylor and the Hurricane's kept Fitzgerald out of the end zone, breaking the receiver's record of 18 consecutive games with a score.
Taylor' jaw-jacking ability also carries over to his game against the run, which his Miami teammate Vince Wilfork summed up pretty nicely. "Just look over your shoulder," Wilfork told USA Today. "If you see No. 26 (Taylor's college number)… move, because he will blast you." Some scouts feel that Taylor's big hit ability actually hurts him sometimes. They feel that Taylor could help his own cause by limiting the big hits in favor of simply making sure he brings receivers to the ground. It didn't happen often, but there were a few times during Taylor's career at Miami when he gave up big plays by blowing off a sure tackle in favor of dishing out a big hit, only to have elusive receivers slip by him.
In the latest Fanball mock draft, Taylor was taken with the fourth overall selection. That pick currently belongs to the Washington Redskins, who may use it to select Taylor. However, the Texans and Patriots are rumored to have an interest in trading up to get Taylor, and there's a chance that officials from the Redskins and Lions may be willing to move down. Obviously, playing in Bill Belichick's defense would be an ideal situation for Taylor, but he should be a fantasy factor no matter where he winds up on draft day. His speed and hands should produce some interceptions, and that much-heralded big hit ability could force some turnovers. Detroit is one team the Patriots are talking trade with, but there's also a chance that Steve Mariucci won't be able to pass on Taylor if the safety is still on the board when the Lions pick at No. 6.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=fanball-nfldraftpreviewdefen&prov=fanball&type=lgns
Once Taylor is drafted, the defensive back focus will shift to cornerback. DeAngelo Hall of Virginia Tech, Dunta Robinson of South Carolina, and Chris Gamble of Ohio State are considered the best corners of this year's class, and each player is expected to hear his name called during the first round of the draft.
Sean Taylor, Miami-FL
Height: 6-2 Weight: 231 Likely Draft Position: Early-First Round Possible Destinations: Redskins, Texans, Lions, Patriots NFL Comparison: Ronnie Lott
Blessed with the soft hands of a receiver, the speed of a corner, and the size of a small linebacker, Taylor is rated by some scouts as the best overall player in the draft. Although he probably won't be selected with the first pick overall, he will undoubtedly be the first defensive player chosen. Taylor's big hit ability scored him several highlight reel appearances on Sports Center, but he's more than just a heavy hitter. When Miami played Pittsburgh last season, Taylor was often placed in man-to-man coverage against Larry Fitzgerald. Taylor did such a good job in the game that he helped Miami hold the wideout sensation to just 24 receiving yards. Even more impressive is that Taylor and the Hurricane's kept Fitzgerald out of the end zone, breaking the receiver's record of 18 consecutive games with a score.
Taylor' jaw-jacking ability also carries over to his game against the run, which his Miami teammate Vince Wilfork summed up pretty nicely. "Just look over your shoulder," Wilfork told USA Today. "If you see No. 26 (Taylor's college number)… move, because he will blast you." Some scouts feel that Taylor's big hit ability actually hurts him sometimes. They feel that Taylor could help his own cause by limiting the big hits in favor of simply making sure he brings receivers to the ground. It didn't happen often, but there were a few times during Taylor's career at Miami when he gave up big plays by blowing off a sure tackle in favor of dishing out a big hit, only to have elusive receivers slip by him.
In the latest Fanball mock draft, Taylor was taken with the fourth overall selection. That pick currently belongs to the Washington Redskins, who may use it to select Taylor. However, the Texans and Patriots are rumored to have an interest in trading up to get Taylor, and there's a chance that officials from the Redskins and Lions may be willing to move down. Obviously, playing in Bill Belichick's defense would be an ideal situation for Taylor, but he should be a fantasy factor no matter where he winds up on draft day. His speed and hands should produce some interceptions, and that much-heralded big hit ability could force some turnovers. Detroit is one team the Patriots are talking trade with, but there's also a chance that Steve Mariucci won't be able to pass on Taylor if the safety is still on the board when the Lions pick at No. 6.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=fanball-nfldraftpreviewdefen&prov=fanball&type=lgns