2020 NFL Draft: Arizona’s J.J. Taylor should be on everyone’s radar
A couple of high-end running backs shunned the 2020 NFL Draft but that could open the door for J.J. Taylor out of Arizona to make some noise.
In terms of size, Arizona Wildcats running back J.J. Taylor doesn’t measure up to the likes of Travis Etienne and Najee Harris, two top-100 prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft that elected to return to school. However, Taylor will be a part of the 2020 draft class, and he’s a name that everyone should be fully aware of.
But getting past his size as a possible issue, the 5-6, 185-pound running back is thickly built with girth in his lower body and room to grow on his frame. He could bulk up to about 190-195 pounds and not lose much in terms of speed and agility.
Despite his size, Taylor isn’t just some scat back. At Arizona, Taylor was a workhorse in 2018. He had nine games where he carried the ball 18 or more times including his 207-yard performance against Oregon. He finished the 2018 season with 254 carries for 1,434 yards and five touchdowns.
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Unfortunately, Taylor wasn’t given the ball a ton in 2019. He only had 148 carries and rushed for 721-yards with five touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Taylor also proved to be a capable pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Although his numbers were down, he was far from a disappointment. In fact, against the nation’s 31st-best run defense in Washington, Taylor rushed for 89 yards and a score. In games where he wasn’t as effective on the ground, he proved his value in the passing game. For example, in Weeks 8 and 9, he combined for 13 catches and 144 yards.
Understanding his weaknesses is key. There’s a chance he’ll get stopped by much larger defenders who can drag him down. But he won’t be brought down with ease. Taylor understands how to use his power and understands leverage, exploiting his size to his advantage. He has good leg drive and always falls forward.
At the line of scrimmage, he could stand to show more patience. He does tend to bounce runs outside more often than you’d like. Still, he has good instincts and an elite burst through the hole. He’s slippery with a number of ways to win including a smooth spin move and elite quickness.
Taylor isn’t afraid to deliver the punishment either. It shows in the pride he takes as a pass blocker. He’ll cut block or go head-to-head and win with leverage and power. As a receiver, he’s shown soft hands and he has the potential to flex out into the slot.
There’s a chance teams will miss out on a great prospect by letting him fall out the draft due to his size but that’ll be a mistake. Teams like the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a few franchises that can benefit from Taylor’s talents.
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His NFL comp is Bears running back Tarik Cohen. Taylor may not ever be a featured back but he’d make an excellent addition to a run-first offense working with a committee. He’ll likely hear his names called on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft and contribute right away for the team that selects him.