NFL Draft Profile: Leonard Taylor, Tight End, Cincinnati Bearcats
Leonard Taylor
Cincinnati Bearcats
#11
Pos: TE
Ht: 6046
Wt: 250
Hand: 1018
Arm: 3268
Wing: 8048
40: 4.75
DOB: 8/26/1999
Hometown: Springfield, OH
High School: Springfield
Eligibility: 2023
One-Liners
A big-bodied tight end with a well put together frame, Taylor doesn’t have much upside.
Evaluation:
On film, Taylor is utilized as the in-line tight end for the Bearcats. He has a really good frame, with excellent size for the position. Mostly used as a blocker, Taylor is willing in that area and has some flashes. In pass protection, Taylor displays quick feet and a good understanding of angles to cut off rushers. He doesn’t have very good play strength, even at his size, so Taylor can struggle to sustain blocks in both the run and pass games. His hand placement and body control as a blocker need to improve as well. As a pass catcher, Taylor doesn’t offer much. He is slow off the ball, lacking any kind of explosion and speed. Most of his receptions are schemed open, as he doesn’t have the ability to separate against man coverage. Taylor does catch the ball with his hands away from his body but on more inaccurate passes, his lack of athleticism shows up. He struggles to adjust to poor passes and in general, Taylor lacks ideal athleticism in a modern tight end. There isn’t much upside after the catch with Taylor either. Overall, Taylor has the size to be an NFL tight end. He has five years of experience but he didn’t really ever improve on film. He is maxed out as an athlete and his frame is already filled out. Taylor needs enough work as a blocker that his lack of pass-catching ability, makes it tough for teams to really look at him until late in the draft. Taylor’s lack of upside and mediocre traits make him more of a priority free agent.
Grade:
UDFA
Background:
Originally from Springfield, Ohio. He attended Springfield High School and was rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports. He played at the University of Cincinnati. As a freshman, he played in eleven games, totaling three catches for thirty-one yards, and was part of the special teams unit. During his sophomore season, he played in fourteen games, totaling four receptions, thirty-seven receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. As a junior, he played in ten games, totaling sixteen receptions, 191 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. He had an outstanding senior season, starting in thirteen games, totaling four catches, 268 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. He decided to use his extra year of eligibility. As a graduate student, he played in eleven games, totaling eighteen receptions, 170 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He also served as a very good blocker.
