Best Comparison for Jonathan Taylor (1 Viewer)

[Slaw]

I do the same thing. I feel I must compare to some thing or someone, or I have no frame of reference.

A lot of times, there is no good 1:1 comparison like Taylor and Peterson, so I "hybridize". For example, I think Edwards-Hellaire has a combination of the traits of Emmit Smith and Dalton Hilliard. Swift, the GA RB, is straight up Gurley in my eyes.

Ditto. Some people hate comparisons, and I understand that view. But I'm always searching for those reference points.

 

[Slaw]

I'm thinking how happy Payton is with his last 2 major OL picks. Pretty awesome! We have the best young Center and RT in the league in McCoy and Ram, just think if we could snag a G at 24 to protect Pappaw Brees up the middle.

Oh man, if they could pull off another McCoy/Ramczyk type pick on the OL, that would be insane. I think I like Saahdiq Charles from LSU. He seems to have some real potential at LT, but I've see some analysts suggest he could be an option at G. Sounds like he might be able to fill that Andrus Peat role.

 

[bobad]

That's a great sounding strategy in theory, but we can clearly see in today's game certain Positions hold more value to NFL GM's from a team building perspective.

We can clearly see this with Quarterbacks, and Edge Rushers. Those always rise to the top of the Draft, because of how important those positions are to the overall success of your Football team. (QBs touch the ball on almost every Offensive snap, and Pass Rushers have the greatest effect on impacting QBs from a Defensive standpoint)

I think BPA is coach-speak. They need positions and will grab the BPA at that position. If a generational player falls to 24 (like that could ever happen) that we don't need the position, then CSP may draft BPA.

 

[Slaw]

I think BPA is coach-speak. They need positions and will grab the BPA at that position. If a generational player falls to 24 (like that could ever happen) that we don't need the position, then CSP may draft BPA.

I don't think it's coach speak. I just think instead of individual rankings, they are looked at in tiers. So hypothetically, if there is one tier 1 player still available at 24, but it's not a position of need, they will pick that player or try and trade back if it's a position they have a ton of talent and depth at. I don't believe they will just pick a player they have ranked lower due to need.

 

[HogsNSaints]

I think BPA is coach-speak. They need positions and will grab the BPA at that position. If a generational player falls to 24 (like that could ever happen) that we don't need the position, then CSP may draft BPA.

I think this you are correct. Basically “BPA” to NFL teams is not always a talent basis and scheme fit/plug and play capabilities matters a lot more than people think, especially when a team feels like they have immediate Super Bowl aspirations.

Mekhi Becton is the best example in this current class IMO. If he’s on the board at 24, everyone in the draft room may say he’s the most “talented” player on the board. But how does he fit New Orleans, and how can you get return on investment out of him? Becton doesn’t profile well as a guard and the Saints have two bookend offensive tackles. Who are you suppose to kick inside, a mammoth that doesn’t fit or an upper tier NFL tackle in favor of a rookie?

 

[GilFinnerty]

As most of you know I’m a big comparisons guy. I think the best way to project potential success or potential failure is to define what guys with similar body types, athleticism, production, etc have done and use it to project prospects each draft season.

I just wanted to make note that as I watched more of Jonathan Taylor during his time at Wisconsin and looked for a similar qualities, the ONLY comparison I found that is suitable from a build/athleticism, weakness/strength stand point is....

Adrian Peterson

1. Build: The resemblance is uncanny - chiseled but extremely lean throughout their mid section with tree trunk legs and well built shoulders. Both guys are higher-waisted with fairly long arms and legs. Very few RBs at this level have this build, as you usually see guys carrying more weight in their mid-section with much shorter legs, allowing for natural ability to wiggle through holes. Taylor, like AD, made up for it with vision and once they both are able to hit the second level, the long-striding nature becomes a gift and not a curse.

2. Athleticism: Neither man should be the athlete they are at their size, but both are elite level athletes with other-worldly top end speed. Adrian Peterson was a 4.40 guy at 221 pounds, whereas Taylor was even faster at 4.39 at 226 pounds. Agility testing numbers were virtually identical, with both running a 7-flat in the three-cone drill, a drill that does not play well to their frames.

3. Weakness(es): There’s two major, identical weaknesses with both guys. The bigger issue is fumbling. Jonathan Taylor had ball security issues throughout his Wisconsin career, and Peterson helped secure our hometown Saints a spot in the Super Bowl. This is a natural more common than average occurrence given the above mentioned longer arms, creating more room for the ball to move. Another issue, is pass catching. Peterson has rarely been called upon as a pass catching weapon out of the backfield, and it’s unlikely that will become a strength of Taylor’s as well.

4. Strengths: Peterson at the top of his game was the best pure runner in the NFL for a long time, and it may be lofty but I would venture to say Jonathan Taylor can compete for that mark at the next level as well. They compensate for their lack of quick, nimble feet in the hole by being powerful, one-cut and accelerate burners when they find the crease. Like Peterson, Taylor is prone to getting stuffed when he’s cut off in the hole, but as soon as he gets to the second level of the defense he just has another gear that very few humans can match, with power and strength to bully NFL defensive backs.

This is lofty, I know. But the comparable traits are striking to me. Anyone else see a better comp?

Pro Comparison to me is Fred Taylor. Similar size and play styles. Both burst type backs. Not a lot of wasted wiggle. Peterson style different. Peterson likes to be deep in the backfield. Heavily relies on his Jump Cut. J. Taylor favors more of standard one Cut and go style. He not limited to that though. He's gonna be good. Getting a guy like J. Taylor on a rookie deal how u build a winner.

 

[Saint Taysom]

I think this you are correct. Basically “BPA” to NFL teams is not always a talent basis and scheme fit/plug and play capabilities matters a lot more than people think, especially when a team feels like they have immediate Super Bowl aspirations.

Mekhi Becton is the best example in this current class IMO. If he’s on the board at 24, everyone in the draft room may say he’s the most “talented” player on the board. But how does he fit New Orleans, and how can you get return on investment out of him? Becton doesn’t profile well as a guard and the Saints have two bookend offensive tackles. Who are you suppose to kick inside, a mammoth that doesn’t fit or an upper tier NFL tackle in favor of a rookie?

I can’t imagine a Tackle-needy team not making a move on Becton if he’s still on the board in the late teens.

 

[wesleyTX13]

Wow! That is def an insanely lofty comparison. To me, I see Darren McFadden when I watch Taylor.

If you’re being funny then I really like it. Hahaha