At 6'3" and 351 pounds, former Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor is one of the 2011 NFL Draft’s best nose tackle prospects.
Taylor, who transferred to Baylor from Penn State, was a dominant force against the run in 2010. He totaled 62 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two sacks and one forced fumble in 2010—remarkable numbers for a defensive tackle. As a result of his efforts, Taylor was named second team All-Big 12 and invited to start in the 2011 Senior Bowl.
Beyond his size, which is ideal for an NFL nose tackle, Taylor is actually surprisingly athletic for his frame. He still plays best in confined spaces, but moves quicker than most offensive linemen calculate, as was evidenced by his impact in the backfield in 2010. Taylor also plays with an impressive amount of power, dominating the trenches and providing push at the point of attack. This, coupled with his massive size, ensured that he was double-teamed for almost every snap of his 2010 season, freeing up the rest of the front seven to cause havoc.
The only concerns surrounding Taylor are the same concerns that surround nearly every nose tackle prospect. Some scouts worry that a man of his size won’t hold up long in the NFL, that his body will eventually succumb to the stress of playing such violent football at 350 pounds. Others note his limitations as a pass rusher and his inability to get off the ball quickly—traits you would probably expect from a 350-pound nose tackle anyway.
Taylor is an ideal fit for nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, but will anchor the middle of the Cleveland Browns defensive line in a 4-3 scheme (unless they have 3-4 packages available.) He's a defensive cornerstone if he stays healthy and opens up opportunities for Cleveland linebackers.
Pick Grade: B
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