The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
Darnell Savage, Tariq Carpenter, and James Wiggins are the only safeties under contract for the Green Bay Packers and it’s a position that Brian Gutekunst will likely address early and quite possibly often in the 2023 NFL Draft.
A player that Green Bay’s general manager could target on day three of the upcoming draft is Jason Taylor II. The Oklahoma State safety checks in at No. 79 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
After playing primarily on special teams, Taylor became a full-time starter for Oklahoma State in 2021. Taylor responded with 48 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one touchdown, and six pass deflections.
This past season, Taylor recorded 99 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, and 13 pass deflections.
“Taylor had a really strong season,” Scott Wright, the Oklahoma State football writer for The Oklahoman said. “He was playing with almost entirely new starters around him at linebacker, safety, and cornerback. He was the anchor of the back seven. His reliability was vital to the success of the defense.”
The Oklahoma State safety is always where he’s supposed to be on the football field. He’s a highly instinctive player that has a gift for making big-time plays in critical situations. Most recently, he forced a fumble on a touchdown-saving tackle during the NFLPA Bowl. In 2021, Taylor blocked a game-winning field goal attempt against Boise State. He had an 85-yard pick-six against Texas and he returned an onside kick attempt by Texas Tech for a touchdown.
“He just seems to always be around the ball in crucial situations,” Wright said. “Game-changing touchdowns on fumble and interception returns. A blocked field goal in the final minute. This past season, it was late-game interceptions that sealed wins against Baylor and Texas. Second, I’d say his versatility is key. He can play close to the line of scrimmage or deep safety or anywhere in between.”
Taylor is a good-sized athlete at 5-11, 208 pounds. He trusts his reads, which allows him to get a head start and takes proper angles to the football. Due to his high football IQ, Taylor always finds himself around the action. While not a blazer, Taylor shows adequate range.
“He’s fluid and has good instincts,” Wright said. “He moves with and adjusts to receivers well. I’m curious to see what his 40-time will be at the combine. I’m not sure he’s necessarily blazing fast in that setting. I think his shuttle times will be more impressive.”
During his final season in high school, Taylor caught 42 passes for 800 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, while picking off nine passes on defense. During his two years as a starter at Oklahoma State, Taylor showed off those ball skills with eight interceptions and 19 pass deflections. He sniffs plays out with his instincts and is physical when the ball arrives.
“His ball skills are excellent, and there are two really strong qualities that contribute to that,” Wright said. “For one, he has really good hands. Some people thought he might be a receiver coming out of high school. Additionally, he reacts well and can adjust to the ball when it’s in the air.”
Taylor is a willing participant in run support. He’s not a physical tone-setter. He doesn’t fly downhill like Bob Sanders. He’s just always going to be around the action and for the most part, limit chunk plays.
This past season he was flagged for 17 missed tackles, a number that shot up due to the Oklahoma State safety battling a shoulder injury, according to Wright.
“Overall for his career, he was a pretty effective tackler,’ Wright said. “This past season, he had a shoulder and arm injury that led to a couple of big missed tackles that will probably pop up on video as the scouting process plays out. But the abundance of evidence suggests those were anomalies.”
During his time at Oklahoma State, Taylor logged 536 special team snaps. That special teams experience could help Taylor make an immediate impact as a rookie.
Fit with the Packers
Adrian Amos is a free agent. Savage is in the final year of his rookie deal and likely won’t be re-signed. The Packers need to rebuild the safety room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
Taylor could make an immediate impact on special teams and provide quality depth at the safety position if he doesn’t earn a starting role as a rookie.
“Not only is he a guy who could add depth at any safety position, but he also isn’t afraid to play special teams,” Wright said. “He’s a team-first guy who is willing to do what he can to get on the field and contribute. He played special teams throughout the early part of his career and kept helping out there after he became a starter in 2021. He’s a good locker room guy and the kind of player you want around your program. I’m not saying he’s going to have the same type of impact that former OSU linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez had as a rookie at Detroit this season, but Taylor is cut from the same mold.”
The Packers improved on special teams this past season, which isn’t shocking since they could not have gotten any worse. Part of that is because Gutekunst poured resources into adding players that had a history of contributing on special teams. He added Carpenter on the third day of the draft last season and Carpenter became one of Green Bay’s special teams aces down the stretch.
Taylor could take the same path as a rookie. The Oklahoma State safety has special teams experience and could help Green Bay continue to improve on special teams while vying for playing time on defense.
The third day of the draft is all about trying to find hidden gems and while Taylor may never blossom into a star, he has a pretty safe floor as a hired gun on special teams.
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