Taven Bryan, Florida: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Jon Dove
Florida’s Taven Bryan is a well built defensive line prospect who does a good job making plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Taven Bryan possesses excellent length, bulk and overall size for the position. He is a physical presence who also features the quickness to penetrate the pocket. His quick first step is something that really stands out and helps him make an impact.
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He also has excellent snap awareness where he is routinely the first player out of his stance. The combination of his snap timing and quick first step make him a disruptive defender.
Bryan is a naturally powerful player with excellent raw strength. At times he is even able to generate a push on the pocket with just one hand. The key for Bryan to unlock his potential is his technique. At this point in his development, he makes plays based on his physical attributes.
He needs to do a better job gaining inside hands and controlling the action. Bryan tends to throw a shoulder into the blocker while trying to shoot a gap. He has the strength and heavy hands to stack and shed.
This would help him improve his ability to locate the ball carrier. There are too many occasions where he takes himself out of the play by working to the wrong side of the field. Improved hand usage is something that would also make him a more effective pass rusher.
Another area where Bryan needs to improve is his pad level. As the play develops he will raise his pads exposing too much of his body.
Overall, Bryan is someone who could be a major force in the NFL. He has the size, quickness, and motor evaluators look for in a defensive line prospect. His skill set also gives him the ability to impact the game on multiple levels.
Bryan has the strength to anchor against the run while also featuring the quickness to wreak havoc in the offensive backfield. He just needs to refine his technique and polish his overall approach.