Darius Taylor RB Minnesota | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Darius Taylor RB Minnesota
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.54 seconds (57%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 03/19/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.54 seconds (57%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
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80% |
| Break Tackles: |
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80% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
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76% |
| Pass Blocking: |
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63% |
| Run Blocking: |
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49% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#125
Position rank:
#7
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| College Games: 18 College Snaps: 795 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Roschon Johnson - Texas |
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71% |
| Jashaun Corbin - Florida State |
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68% |
| Ollie Gordon II - Oklahoma State |
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68% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Darius Taylor from Walled Lake Western High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. Following high school, Taylor joined Minnesota.In 2023 as a freshman Taylor saw action in 6 games for the Golden Gophers as he ran for 800 yards on 138 attempts for an excellent 5.8 yards per carry, with 5 TDs, with no fumbles. As a receiver he made just 11 receptions for 92 yards.
As a sophomore in 2024 he played just 3 games. and rushed for 223 yards on 34 carries for an outstanding 6.6 ypc, with 3 TDs, with no fumbles. In the passing game he pulled in just 11 receptions for 98 yards.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Shows a surprising burst to beat linebackers to the edge. Can plant his foot in the ground and explode, showing better straight-line speed than expected.
- He’s aggressive and willing, with more than enough size, when asked to chip block or pick up blitzers. Taylor has the potential to be one of the league’s best in that area.
- His competitiveness and knack for high-pointing the ball allow him to play bigger than his size.
- Well-built with a thick frame and powerful lower body which keeps his legs pumping through contact. Patient behind the line of scrimmage, allowing blocks to create openings, and looks for cutback lanes with accurate vision. Hits the hole hard and runs with power to get the tough yards and a physical attitude.
- An excellent blocker on the outside, Taylor also adds value in the running game.
- Difficult to bring down one-on-one in space, regularly sidesteps would-be tacklers and uses offhand to use oncoming defenders' momentum against them without slowing down significantly.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Taylor isn’t going to overwhelm opposing defensive backs with speed and athleticism.
- Taylor doesn’t have the ability as a run blocker or the violent run-after-catch ability.
- He’s more of a cut blocker in pass protection as opposed to a guy who will stick his face in against the blitz, although that is a correctable flaw.
How other scouting services rate Darius Taylor (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
154.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
10.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.