While it’s hard to discern much about defensive linemen in OTA practices with limited contract and not tackling, rookie free agent defensive tackle Leonard Taylor had two noticeable plays on Wednesday, one a QB pressure, and another a run stop at the line.
While there is no tackling, you can see defensive linemen beating offensive linemen into gaps off the snap, and that is what Taylor did on both of these plays.
A five-star recruit, who all the big programs wanted out of Miami’s Palmetto High School, including Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State, he chose to stay home and play for the Hurricanes, and while he flashed at times, he wasn’t as dominant as expected, leading him to go undrafted.
When this player came out of high school, noted recruiting site 24/7 Sports considered him a potential first-round pick who they compared to Sheldon Richardson.
So to get this guy as a UDFA could turn out to be a steal if Jets D-Line coach Aaron Whitecotton can get this naturally gifted player to realize his potential.
******
The new issue of Jets Confidential is out and loaded with tons of great inside info on the Jets from outside the echo chamber. To subscribe to this must-read for Jets fans, or our M-F Website Whispers (different content than the magazine), or both, click on one of the options below.
