3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin 5-11, 219 (Late 1st, early 2nd)
Why He’s Here On The List: There’s absolutely no questioning his toughness, patience, and deep speed, but he’s more than that. He’s as high-character as a prospect can get, with the type of personality along with the talent that NFL teams dream of in a franchise star. After becoming more of a receiver last year, he’s starting to be able to do it all.
What The NFL Types Want To See: How are his hands? He’s fast, but speed isn’t necessarily his game – he’s a workhorse back who can come up with a bit of power. Does he look natural in the pass catching drills? And can he somehow, some day, get past the one giant problem that …
Bottom Line: Ball security is a killer. He got better as a junior, but his fumbles were devastating. The inability to hang on to the ball kept him from getting chances around the goal line in his first two years, and that – along with the close the heavy workload – is enough to knock him down a few pegs in the draft order.