Seattle Seahawks draft Leonard Taylor
- Defensive tackle from Miami
- Round 1
The 2024 defensive line class is very deep so should Seattle choose to go with an interior defensive lineman early, they should have a bunch of guys to choose from. Taylor is already big enough to play in the NFL at 6'3" and 310 pounds, but he is super athletic and quick for his size. And he seems to play the run and pass equally well.
Miami DT Leonard Taylor is already one of my favorite players for the 2024 NFL Draft. Lightning-quick first step, power to move the line of scrimmage, and he can finish. pic.twitter.com/X59gSo5DQM
— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) August 10, 2023
In 2022, Taylor had 10.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks to go along with 25 total pressures and 15 quarterback hurries. Taylor basically did what Jarran Reed is doing for Seattle so far through four games in the 2023 season. And for all the 12s screaming that the team didn't take Jalen Carter in the 2023 NFL draft, possibly the team was aware that what was coming in 2024 might be nearly as good and without the red flags that Carter had entering the draft.
Taylor's first step is crazy fast and anticipatory. He has a knack for when the ball will be snapped and explodes off the line. And besides his quickness, he has the lower body strength to hold his ground or power past the poor guy trying to block him. Taylor isn't just good now, but he will likely be much better in the future, especially once he has some very good defensive line coaching in the NFL.