Big Ten Title Game: Five 2020 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

23

Jonathan Taylor RB

Scouting Report

Jonathan Taylor is putting the finishing touches on an illustrious college career. In a stacked running back class, Taylor is out to prove that he is cut above the rest that. Being a cut above means separating yourself by doing some things that haven’t been done. Breaking a record set by Herschel Walker is always a great place to start.

https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1195787169102610432?s=20

At 5’11 and 219lbs, Taylor isn’t just your typical bruising Big Ten style of running back. Taylor comes with a great combination of speed and quickness to go along with his size. He has legit track speed as a guy who participates with the Wisconsin Track and Field team in the spring.

Taylor has the speed to get to the second level and break away from linebackers and defensive backs to produce explosive runs. He shows good burst when running downhill and doesn’t take long to get started. Taylor is a strong runner that consistently falls forward to fight for extra yards with no fear of lowering his shoulder.

The Wisconsin back runs with good pad level that allows him to play with good contact balance and bounce of tackles. Has good patience to let his block develops while using his good vision to find cutback lanes. Solid foot quickness and lateral agility to make cuts and get going once he finds his hole.

Need to see him in a more expanded role as a pass catcher to get a feel for his hands but there’s a lot of understanding that Wisconsin doesn’t need to pass the ball too often. He has continued to make sure he stays in the conversation as the best running back in the draft. Jonathan Taylor will have to have one of his vintage games to help his team pull off the upset.