Ourlads' Profile:
2024 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about LEONARD TAYLOR III:
Miami | HT: 6034 | WT: 303 | 40 time: 5.12 | Arm: 3378 | Hand: 0900 | Wing: 8058
Junior entry, two year starter. Second-team All-ACC in 2022-2023. Big and athletic with an ideal frame for a three technique. Was an imposing figure on the Hurricanes’ defensive front. Has a good mix of power and athleticism and lined up at multiple spots on the Cane’s defense including zero, one, three, and five techniques. Was most often used at the interior spots in 2023 with significant reps at nose tackle. With extreme first step quickness he can get into a gap and penetrate the backfield, disrupting blocking schemes along the way. He flashes powerful hands to separate from blocks and clog running lanes. Excellent lateral movement he can flatten down the line and make plays along the line of scrimmage. Shows a high motor penetrating and pursuing. Has range for a big man to chase down backs across the field. Solid tackling in chase mode. As a five technique he can work the outer edges of a blocker and locate the ball. As an interior pass rusher he’s explosive engaging with strong hands and lower body strength to push the pocket with a bull rush. He also flashes the ability to disengage and chase the quarterback. Could use more pass rush technique to be more reliable escaping blocks. Has a tendency to get upright and lose leverage against a powerful blocker. Struggles to fight pressure against down blocks and drive blocks on double teams. Has had streaks where he’s easily handled by interior blockers. Needs to develop consistency in pad level as he can come off high at times at the snap. His 2023 tape wasn’t as good as 2022 and he’s still a work on progress. Has the tools and upside to develop, but so far the production hasn’t quite matched up.
2023 Stats: 19 T, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 QBH. OSR:34/41. Draft projection: 2nd/3rd round