J’Mari Taylor

Draft Projection

Measurements

Athletic Testing

College Statistics

Strengths

• Contact balance stands out immediately on tape as Taylor absorbs hits from linebackers and safeties without going down, consistently churning out an extra 3-5 yards after defenders think they have him wrapped up.
• Vision between the tackles allows him to find cutback lanes in zone schemes with excellent patience, letting blocks develop before hitting the crease with conviction and decisive footwork.
• Footwork in tight spaces creates separation through jump cuts and lateral agility that keeps defenders grasping at air, as evidenced by his 54 forced missed tackles in 2025.
• Runs with legitimate nastiness and finishes runs by lowering his shoulder into contact rather than sliding out of bounds, displaying the kind of toughness that earns respect in NFL locker rooms.
• Pass protection willingness stands out for a smaller back, as he squares up blitzers and delivers pop on contact despite giving up 40-50 pounds to most edge rushers.
• Receiving skills translate beyond checkdowns with soft hands and enough route diversity to motion into the slot, catching 97 balls in his college career while averaging over 8 yards per reception.
• Durability proves itself through his availability despite heavy workload, playing through minor ailments while handling 20-plus carries in multiple games without breaking down over the season.
• Burst through the hole at the second level generates explosive runs when he gets to the perimeter, showing 4.39 speed (93rd percentile) that can stress defenses horizontally and create home-run potential.

Areas to Improve

• Size limitations at 5'9" and 204 pounds raise durability questions against NFL linebackers and safeties who will bring significantly more force than ACC defenders brought to the tackle point.
• Pass protection technique needs refinement as he sometimes lunges at rushers rather than staying square, and while he competes hard his 51% pass-blocking grade reflects inconsistent fundamentals against speed.
• Long speed doesn't match his initial burst, as he gets run down from behind on breakaway attempts more often than his 40-time suggests he should based on game tape analysis.
• Limited sample size against elite competition raises questions about how his game translates, considering he spent four years at FCS level before one productive season in a Power Four conference.
• Route running lacks polish beyond basic option routes and swings, limiting his ability to create mismatches in the passing game against linebackers who can match his athleticism at the next level.