Tennessee Vols: The Athletic predicts where Darrell Taylor will be drafted on Friday night
Tennessee Vols edge defender Darrell Taylor didn't hear his name called on the first night of the 2020 NFL Draft. But that wasn't a total surprise. Until Thursday morning, there weren't many mock drafts that suggested Taylor could go in the first round. Most mock drafts, in fact, predicted that Taylor would go in the […]
Tennessee Vols edge defender Darrell Taylor didn't hear his name called on the first night of the 2020 NFL Draft.
But that wasn't a total surprise. Until Thursday morning, there weren't many mock drafts that suggested Taylor could go in the first round. Most mock drafts, in fact, predicted that Taylor would go in the second round or later.
The former Vol, however, will almost certainly be drafted on Friday night in the second or third round. Taylor flashed an elite ability to get after the quarterback at times during his last two years at Tennessee. That kind of potential in a pass rusher is rare (which is why we thought there was an outside chance he could go in the first round).
Dane Brugler, who covers the NFL Draft for The Athletic, made his predictions on Friday for the second and third round (which takes place on Friday night).
Brugler has Taylor going to the Buffalo Bills in the third round (No. 86 overall).
Here's what Brugler says about the pick:
Taylor looks the part and has ability, but he needs to let it loose and prove he can translate his talent into consistent football production. And the chance to learn from Jerry Hughes could be what bridges the gap in his development.
Brugler is one of the best in the business when it comes to covering the draft. But I think he might be wrong on this one.
I think a pass rush needy team will jump up and select Taylor in the latter half of the second round. His ceiling as a pass rusher is too high to slip to the third round. And I think there's at least one team that will feel the same.
Other former Vols still waiting to hear their name called include WR Jauan Jennings, WR Marquez Callaway, LB Daniel Bituli, TE Dominick Wood-Anderson and DB Nigel Warrior.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
