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2020 NFL Draft: Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor scouting report

By Ian Higgins

Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a 44-yard touchdown ahead of Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter of the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a 44-yard touchdown ahead of Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter of the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3rd down abilities

In the modern NFL, being able to contribute in both dimensions of offense is critical to being an every-down NFL back. Taking advantage of the mismatch against linebackers is an integral part of many offenses. If unable to contribute in the receiving game, pass blocking is an underrated portion of a third-down skill-set. Many running backs struggle in this part of their game and their teams pay for it at the most important times (ex: Devonta Freeman in Super Bowl 51, Donta Hightower strip-sack).

Jonathan Taylor is not going to be a three-down back in the NFL. Simply put, he is a pure power back rarely seen in modern football (ex: Derrick Henry). His reception numbers in a single season will likely never rise above 25, but that is not what he will be brought in to do.

Versatility is crucial to running back success in the modern NFL, but if a player can become polished enough in a single trade, he can still find his niche and become a staple in an NFL franchise. Receiving backs such as Darren Sproles and Danny Woodhead made careers of being purely third-down backs, an exact opposite to a back such as Taylor.

Power backs still have their place in the world of football though, with players such as LeGarrette Blount and Leonard Fournette earning their keep via first and second-down contributions. The 2019 season also saw a revival in the power-running game, with the more conventional Titans and possibly revolutionary Ravens behind both Lamar Jackson and Mark Ingram.

Taylor has also lacked the opportunities to demonstrate his pass-blocking ability, running out of I-form and heavy single back sets for much of his time at Wisconsin. Taylor is a much better runner from behind the quarterback rather than beside him in a shotgun set, meaning his pass-blocking will revolve around hitting linebackers in the hole on the play-action.

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If teams are looking for a third-down back in the 2020 NFL draft, they are available, but Taylor is not the place to be looking.

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