UDFA Snapshot: Vince Taylor

If you are looking for a refreshing change of pace from the Ted Wells report and the findings they probably more likely believe to have found than not found, here's another snapshot on a Patriots UDFA signing Vince Taylor. The Vanderbilt DT is named after two great defensive lineman that spent most of their career in the AFC East. The Patriots have 8 (9 if you count Zach Moore like I do) guys at the DT position, so there was a need to at least sign some camp bodies. The Patriots top 4 DTs are Sealver Siliga, Dominique Easley, Malcom Brown, and Alan Branch. Chris Jones and Zach Moore could be competing for the 5th and potential final roster spot. So it's unlikely that Taylor makes the team barring a catastrophic run of injuries.

Pro Day #s:

HT: 6'1"
WT: 304
10-Split: 1.72
40: 5.40
Vertical: 34"
Broad Jump: 9'0"
5-10-5 Shuttle: 4.58
3-Cone: 7.46

For video: http://draftbreakdown.com/?s=vanderbilt (There's no tape of just Vince Taylor, so any SEC QB or offensive player film will be enough)

vs. Georgia 2014 (and fellow Patriots UDFA signee David Andrews)

Based on his athletic numbers, he projects to be more of a 1-gap penetrator as opposed to a 2-gap player. The 1.72 split is in the Carl Davis/Xavier Cooper territory for quickest splits for DTs in the 2015 class. In addition, the 4.58 shuttle and 7.46 3-Cone would rank favorably well with the DT prospects that were drafted. A noticeable trend in the draft is smaller and quicker DTs managed to fall in the board, with Xavier Cooper (who many had as a 2nd rd grade) fell to the Cleveland Browns at 96. In terms of the small and penetrating types on the Patriots roster, they already have Dominique Easley, Chris Jones and Joe Vellano who both have a lot of experience in the NFL. Easley is a lock for the roster and could see a prominent role on the 2015 team since the team drafted him in the first round despite an ACL tear on each leg.

For the practice squad, Chris Jones (2 years) and Joe Vellano (1 year) are still eligible should either be cut from the team on final cutdowns. Should one of them be claimed on waivers, Taylor offers a similar size and skill set in a 4-man front. If the Patriots run 3-4 sets, Taylor would likely have to slide down to the nose position. At 6'1" 304, the nose is probably not the best position for him to be in. It's unclear how the roster shakeout will go in terms of practice squad potential goes for the defensive tackles on the Patriots' 90-man roster. Taylor is going to have to give the Patriots or any other team a reason to stash him on the Practice Squad in preseason.