Michael Taaffe S Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Michael Taaffe S Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (56%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.55 seconds (56%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 53.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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66% |
| Run Defense: |
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79% |
| Coverage: |
|
96% |
| Zone: |
|
92% |
| Man/Press: |
|
95% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
5th
Overall Rank:
#139
Position rank:
#33
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1264 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ronnie Hickman - Ohio State |
|
80% |
| Kyler Gordon - Washington |
|
75% |
| Renardo Green - Florida State |
|
74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Michael Taaffe, a 6'0", 182-pound safety from Austin, Texas, developed into a defensive starter for the Texas Longhorns. At Westlake High School, he earned defensive MVP honors in consecutive state championship games and second-team All-State recognition, recording 60 tackles, five interceptions, and seven tackles for loss as a senior while contributing on offense and special teams.Initially joining Texas as a preferred walk-on in 2021, Taaffe earned playing time in 13 games with one start during his sophomore season, tallying 26 tackles and one pass breakup. His junior campaign resulted in honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, starting nine games and accumulating 48 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions in consecutive games against Houston, BYU, and Kansas State, plus a blocked punt.
During his senior season, he started multiple games including the opener against Colorado State and road victory at Michigan, recording notable performances with multiple tackles for loss and crucial stops in Big 12 play. His four-year career included 31 games, over 1,000 defensive snaps, and consistent contributions on special teams.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Plus pattern-match recognition in zone coverage, showing natural anticipation and click-and-close ability on underneath routes
- Diagnostic skills jump off the tape, consistently ahead of play development with pre-snap alignment adjustments
- Natural hands and body control at the catch point, tracks ball effectively with back to QB on vertical routes
- Scheme versatile DB capable of rotating from single-high to box alignments mid-play without lost steps
- Core-four special teams contributor with proven production as gunner and punt block specialist
- Mirror-and-match technique stands out in man coverage against TEs and RBs out of the backfield
- Comfortable playing deep third or half field responsibilities with fluid backpedal and hip turn
- Clean pedal-and-drive mechanics allow quick transitions from backpedal to break on underneath throws
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lean frame lacks desired NFL safety bulk, creating concerns against pro-level point-of-attack blocks
- Wrap-up technique needs refinement, drops eyes and leads to arm tackles in space
- Straight-line speed limitations show up when having to carry vertical routes from press alignment
- Gets displaced by size at collision points, particularly against pulling guards and lead blockers
- Over-pursues run fits from single-high, creating cutback lanes and second-level leaks
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape shows a defensive back with plus zone instincts and mirror ability in underneath coverage. Natural feel for space manipulation and route distribution stands out, particularly when working from split-safety looks. Demonstrates snap anticipation and pre-snap recognition that translates to early positioning advantages.Core special teams value jumps off the tape immediately, showing gunner ability and punt block production that will transfer day one. Coverage skills and route recognition create immediate depth value in sub-packages, though frame limitations raise questions against NFL physicality.
Best deployment comes in a system emphasizing quarter-quarter-half coverage shells that maximize zone spacing reads while limiting point-of-attack responsibilities. Special teams impact and coverage versatility provide immediate roster value while developing into a rotational defensive piece.
How other scouting services rate Michael Taaffe (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
208.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
59.0
*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.