Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Air Force defensive back Trey Taylor.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.
With Darnell Savage Jr, Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford all set to hit the open market this offseason, the Green Bay Packers will need to invest heavily in the safety position. Even if the Packers opt to re-sign one of those three, Brian Gutekunst needs to make it a priority to add more talent to that room.
A player that Gutekunst could target on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft is Trey Taylor. The Air Force safety checks in at No. 80 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
After redshirting in 2019 and opting out of the 2020 COVID-19 season, Taylor has started 36 games over the past three seasons for the Air Force Academy. During his first season as a starter in 2021, Taylor recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and five pass deflections. The following season Taylor recorded 69 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions.
This past season Taylor took home the Jim Thorpe award after he recorded 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions and four pass deflections.
“My time at the Academy taught me how to be a leader of leaders, and to look after my family on and off the field,” Taylor said. “There were difficult times in the journey but leaning on loved ones and the guys I was going to battle with every day in the classroom, on the field, or in military training was eye-opening for me.”
Taylor has loose movements and showcases adequate range. He’s a cerebral player with the route instincts to arrive when the ball does. He has a heightened sense of what’s going on around him and takes proper angles. He’s a great communicator on the back end and is rarely out of position.
“My ability to diagnose quarterback intentions early in the down from film or instincts and make plays on or around the ball,” Taylor said. “I have a nose for the ball.”
Taylor has the range to play centerfield, he also has the short-area quickness, fluidity and toughness to man the slot position. During his three years as a starter, Taylor logged 379 snaps in the slot for the Air Force.
“I have a lot of background playing in the slot,” Taylor said. “I feel like I am very versatile and can cover slot receivers down the field very well. I can come down and make tackles while also having the ability to drop back to deep coverage.”
A relative of Ed Reed, Taylor showcases plus ball skills. He trusts his field vision and takes proper angles to the ball to get into position to make a play.
“Six interceptions with one drop, but I do feel like my ball skills are at the top of this class,” Taylor said. “I can track down the ball with good range when it is in the air in any part of the field and I can also make plays in the air, not always on my feet.”
Taylor is active coming downhill against the run. He does a good job of slithering his way around blocks to find the ball carrier.
“I feel like my biggest strength is coming down and helping in run support,” Taylor said. “I love playing in the box and I feel like I’m extremely effective playing alongside linebackers and communicating with them as well when run fits.”
During his collegiate career, Taylor logged 334 snaps on special teams and recorded four tackles. Taylor is confident that he could be a core special teams player during his rookie season.
“I do know immediately as a rookie I could make a huge impact on special teams,” Taylor said. “I’m confident in any role they put me in but special teams and it’s something that I feel as if I have shined in that phase during my time in college. It’s a skill set that can be directly brought into the NFL.”
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay needs to rebuild its safety room. It’s a position that was arguably the weakest on the roster this past season. It’s a room that needs an infusion of talent.
While he may not be a day-one starter, Taylor could provide an immediate impact on special teams while providing quality depth in the secondary. He’s a disciplined player that improved each season and if he cracks the starting lineup, he’s the type of player that won’t give that job back.
He’s a factor coming downhill against the run. He has the ball skills and playmaking ability that’s desperately needed and he has the versatility to man the slot position.
With the Packers projected to have six Day 3 picks, Taylor could be a target with one of those selections as Gutekunst looks to build the team’s safety room.
“I’ll bring a level of leadership and experience that can be utilized immediately,” Taylor said. “I’m great in the locker room, I come with no trouble, and I make the team a better team with my addition. I’m going to do whatever for my team to win and there’s no pride here, just work ethic and my will to win.”
