Tennessee Vols defender is surging up draft boards
Tennessee Vols edge defender Darrell Taylor is a name that hasn't been discussed a lot during draft season, but it appears he's becoming a hot commodity in the last hours leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft. Fox Sports national writer Peter Schrager reported on Thursday morning that Taylor's name has been "coming up a […]
Tennessee Vols edge defender Darrell Taylor is a name that hasn't been discussed a lot during draft season, but it appears he's becoming a hot commodity in the last hours leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Fox Sports national writer Peter Schrager reported on Thursday morning that Taylor's name has been "coming up a bunch in the last 48 hours".
As a result, Schrager has Taylor sneaking into the end of the first round. He's predicting that the Seattle Seahawks will make a deal with the Green Bay Packers to select Taylor with the No. 30 overall selection.
This isn't surprising. Taylor has legitimate first round talent as an edge rusher.
And edge rushers are extremely hard to find.
Taylor played in only 14 games during his first three seasons (includes a redshirt season) at Tennessee, compiling just three sacks during that time.
But the Virginia native's career turn around after the arrival of Jeremy Pruitt in late 2017.
Over his final two seasons at Tennessee, Taylor racked up 16.5 sacks.
If Taylor would've spent his entire career with Pruitt as his head coach, there's no doubt in mind he's a mid-first round pick in 2020.
Fortunately for Taylor, it looks like he still might end up being a first round pick, despite the negative effect that previous UT head coach Butch Jones had on his career.
Featured image via Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
