39. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Height: 5’10” Weight: 226
40-Yard Dash: 4.39 seconds
Bench Press: 17 reps
Vertical Jump: 36.0 inches
Broad Jump: 123.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 7.01 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.24 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bio: Taylor is trying to become the fourth Wisconsin running back selected in the first round of the draft in the new millennium, following Ron Dayne (2000), Michael Bennett (2001) and Melvin Gordon (2015). He’s certainly been as prolific as any of them. The South Jersey Offensive Player of the Year as a high-school senior, Taylor gained 1,977 yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns on 299 carries as a true freshman in 2017, and followed that up with two straight 2,000-yard seasons in 2018 (2,194 yards) and 2019 (2,003 yards). His 2018 total ranks seventh in NCAA history since 1956, and his two-year total is the third-best in college annals behind Gordon in 2013-2014 and Iowa’s Troy Davis in 1995-1996. Only Taylor and Davis have the distinction of consecutive 2,000-yard seasons. In 2019, Taylor also became more valuable as a receiver, catching 26 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns.
“Really, I think it’s my consistency,” Taylor said at the scouting combine when asked what makes him the best back in this class, at least in his mind. “I mean, if you look at the next level, what separates the great backs from the elite backs is really them playing on an elite level day in and day out every Sunday. I think that’s one of the biggest things that separates me is my ability to be consistent year in and year out.”
Stat to Know: Taylor totaled 6,174 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns in
926 collegiate rushing attempts over three seasons, and averaged 4.24 yards after contact per attempt. In 2019 alone, he forced 87 missed tackles in 320 rushing attempts.
Strengths: Blasts through gaps with outstanding speed and leverage; has an innate understanding of how to pick up that extra yard by falling forward after contact. Reads the defense well to ascertain the ideal gap. Has a nice second gear to make the most of every opportunity — Taylor had 30 carries of 15 or more yards last season. When he hits the hole decisively, he’s an absolute tank to deal with — keeps his legs churning through contact and can bust through for second- and third-level gains. Has experience in zone and gap schemes, but is especially attuned to both inside and outside zone. Made his athleticism very clear at the scouting combine with outstanding work in the drills.
Weaknesses: Needs a lot of work as a receiver; had eight drops on 50 catchable passes during his time at Wisconsin. Not yet a natural pass-protector. Will occasionally run right into contact without a plan; he’s not always a one-gap runner and needs to be more decisive at times. Eighteen career fumbles points to a ball-security problem. Heavily reliant on excellent offensive lines.
Conclusion: When Taylor runs with assertiveness and confidence, he’s as good and consistent a back as you’ll see in this class. His two games against Ohio State in 2019 encapsulated the occasional frustration with his overall style — he gained 52 yards on 20 carries in October in the regular season, and 148 yards on 20 carries in the Big Ten Championship Game less than two months later. The difference with Taylor is the ability to use his speed and power to dictate to the defense. As long as he maintains that, he’ll be a plus NFL runner. Without it, he could get lost in the shuffle.
NFL Comparison: Shaun Alexander. Like the 2005 NFL MVP, Taylor is able to make big plays consistently despite a running style that occasionally has him dancing behind the line of scrimmage when he should be attacking the gap. It’s a workable issue, as are Taylor’s issues in the passing game, but it could be too soon to categorize him as an every-down back.