Analysis
What Ourlads' Scouting Services said about DARRELL TAYLOR before he made the Seattle Seahawks' Depth Chart: Tennessee, 6035 267 4.75. Three-year starter, Hopewell, VA. Won the team’s MVP award in 2018. Comes up a bit short when in regards to consistency and overall production when considering his upside and flashes. When it comes to physical traits, he has all the bend and power that will make him a handful for blockers to deal with off the edge. He makes a powerful impact upon contact and shows the ability to get off blocks with violence. The issues exist in his consistency and instincts. He doesn’t react quickly enough and will get caught out of position. The physical traits are hard to look past, however, and this is a guy who had 21 TFL/16.5 sacks over the past two years and played really well against the SEC. Looks like he lives in the weight room. Chiseled from stone from head to toe, the guy you want walking off the bus first. Functionally strong and powerful. Has a heavy pair of hands that will shock a blocker. Shows a powerful twitch with plenty of bend. A comfortable mover while playing with a low center of gravity. Gets under the blocker’s pads with long, straight arms. Controls the engagement more often than not. Able to disengage, and make tackles in traffic. Prevents a blocker from locking on. Has an array of rush moves. Is a little tight in the hips. Doesn’t recognize offensive schemes well, whether it be the ball action or blocking scheme. Won’t jump the snap, can be late at times which will force him into altering his rush plan. Timing isn’t always there. Had some minor red flags pop up a couple times over the past two years. 2019 stats: 46 T, 10 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 4 PBU, 6 QGH, 1 FF. No workout at Combine. Second/third round. (A-33, H-9 3/4, BP-DNP, 10-DNP).Texas Tech, 6000 240 4.53. Four-year starter, Houston, TX. Second-team All-America and first-team All-Big 12. Highly productive inside linebacker. Makes a lot of tackles and big plays. Quick with initial read, react and inside fits. Sudden with downhill reactions that has produced plays at or behind the line. Slips blocks on the move and has been effective going back door on a block making a play in the backfield. Has been used in the blitz scheme showing a burst to close on the ball. Can be disruptive. Makes plays from tackle to tackle and lays a hit. Shows outstanding lateral movement and short space agility. Makes adjustments from chasing to keeping backside leverage in pursuit. Angles are normally precise. Tackles with knee bend and finish, driving through the ball carrier. Very sure tackler with few misses. Has range to run down ball carriers on the perimeter and make plays in space. For an inside linebacker was not used extensively in coverage as he was most often blitzing or spying in the backfield. When asked to drop, lacked awareness and depth to get in the throwing lane. Occasionally gets out of position running around a block trying to go back door. He relies on instincts and quickness to make plays but is not as effective when squared up on a block. Needs to develop consistent hand use to shed blocks inline. Has the ability to start inside in the NFL but there are questions about his skill and aptitude in coverage. Has the speed and athletic ability so a team may believe he can be an every-down player. At this point he is a two down prospect who will have to develop in coverage. 2019 stats: 108 T, 20 TFL, 3 sacks, 12 QBH, 1 FF. OSR:3/17. Third/fourth round. (A-32 7/8, H-9 1/8, BP-DNP, SS-DNP).