Reach or Steal?

Photo Credit: Dustin Bradford of Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles select Davion Taylor with the 103rd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Who? Yeah, I think that is pretty much what most Eagles fans thought when they heard the late third-round pick. He was ranked 183 by The Draft Network overall. It looks like he could be a hybrid mix of linebacker and defensive back for the Eagles. He can definitely contribute on special teams coverage immediately.

Track Star Turned Football Beast

Davion Taylor could end up being an interesting story as he did not play high school football due to religious beliefs and started his football career in junior college. There he became a 4-star prospect leading to a transfer to the University of Colorado. At Colorado, he went All Pac 12 in the 100-meter dash for track and field and also played this sport called football as well. As a Hybrid Linebacker/Safety, He started 19 of his 23 games there recording 136 tackles (20 of a loss). He added 2 sacks,13 quarterback pressures, nine pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. His resume is loaded with nominated for this and that award and honorable mentions too. Not bad for a track star who didn’t play football till high school.

Where does he fit in Philly?

The explosion and athleticism are very evident all over the field. He is also 21 years old and very raw with a ton of upside. The Linebacker and Safety position are both needs for the future so maybe he can eventually fill that hybrid role. Maybe he just plays weakside linebacker too. The style of play fits Jim Schwartz’s scheme as well as where today’s NFL linebacker seems to be headed in that less base package and more nickel/dime package type defense. Currently, the Eagles have Will Parks and Jalen Mills both on 1-year deals at Safety with only Nate Gerry, TJ Edwards, Duke Riley, and Alex Singleton under contract at linebacker. The football IQ just isn’t there yet because of the inexperience so this looks like a special team player for year one. I am very intrigued by what he could develop into down the road which could be special. He seems to have a great attitude too.

Good first impression from conference call with new #Eagles LB Davion Taylor. Upbeat energy and excited to get to work.
— Brandon Lee Gowton: Quarterback Factory (@BrandonGowton) April 25, 2020