The Lions Draft Prospect of the Day was voted the top safety in college football in 2023 but remains a relative unknown prospect.
The focus for these prospects is on players who should hold some appeal to the Lions in the draft, with a focus on the more likely positions the team will be targeting: OL, EDGE, CB, DT, S and WR. Not all will be top-100 players, and that likely includes today’s prospect.
Trey Taylor, S, Air Force
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 213 pounds (measured at Shrine Bowl)
Taylor entered Air Force as a running back recruit from Texas, but he found his path after moving to safety. He started 36 of 38 games in the last three seasons, racking up 205 tackles, 11 TFLs, six INTs, 14 PDs, and 3.5 sacks for the Falcons. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back in 2023 and also captured the Pat Tillman Award at the Shrine Bowl. That award goes to the player who best shows character, sportsmanship, and intelligence on the field.
He is a cousin of Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed. Taylor does not have to worry about a military deferment; he is eligible to play right away.
What I like
- Lots of experience playing both box and free safety roles and also in the slot
- Well-built and explosive athlete; pro day numbers include a 6.90 3-cone drill, 37.5″ vertical, 10.3-foot broad jump and 22 bench press reps
- Very good coverage instincts in man coverage and in a “robber” role
- Excellent closing burst to the ball or the point of attack
- Very quick and dynamic with the ball in the air
- Has an impressive “chase” gear for his size and build
- Quick to read and attack draw plays and QB runs
- Considerable special teams experience in a variety of roles
- Great character; team captain and won several sportsmanship awards at Air Force
What worries me going into the NFL
- More of a hitter than a form tackler; forgets to wrap up at times
- Plays a little upright in his coverage stance at times, which limits his change-of-direction quickness
- Impatient sitting in zone coverage
- Will overrun plays and too aggressively attack the wrong gap or hole from the box
- In the box, doesn’t always feel blocking well or sift through the trash to get to the play
Best game I watched: Colorado State
Worst game I watched: Boise State
Overall
Taylor certainly looks the part and has the requisite athleticism to succeed in the NFL. He knows how to use the size, quickness and length to his advantage, and with some positional and schematic versatility. While he hasn’t faced a lot of NFL-caliber passing talent, Taylor proved in Shrine Bowl week he can handle himself just fine in man coverage at that level. Taylor has a playmaking bent to him as well, though that will occasionally hurt him in run defense and on blitzes.
He’s smart, aggressive and plays with intensity–exactly what the Lions want. The character and leadership are off the charts, too. Special teams experience and an embrace of doing all the little things should also endear him to Detroit, too. Taylor grades out as a borderline top-100 player for me, but nearly all current projections feature Taylor no higher than the 6th round. Definite appeal from a Lions perspective.