Wisconsin Football: Where is Jonathan Taylor going in recent mock drafts?

Believe it or not it is mock draft season in November, so let’s take a look at where a few have Wisconsin Football star Jonathan Taylor being drafted.

The Wisconsin Football program has a long line of successful running backs, but one of the best in terms of shear production has been Jonathan Taylor. Since stepping foot on campus, Taylor has been one of the nation’s most dominant running backs and he’s been racking up awards and NCAA records ever since.

During his first season, he broke the NCAA rushing record for most rushing yards by a freshman with 1,997 and was voted as a second team All-American. The following year, his 4,171 total yards over his first two seasons was another record breaker and he was named a first team All-American along with winning the Doak Walker award.

Now in what is likely his final year at Wisconsin, he was broken Herschel Walker’s record for most rushing yards by a junior and he still has a couple of games to go. Not to mention that Taylor has finished sixth and ninth in Heisman Trophy voting and is once again a contender in 2019.

We all know how accomplished and dynamic Taylor is as a running back, but in an effort to help this Wisconsin offense as well as bolster his draft stock, he has worked hard on his pass-catching abilities the last two offseasons as well. And this season, the hard work is paying off. Through Taylor’s first two seasons, he had caught a total of 16 passes for 155 yards, with no touchdowns, However in 2019 alone, he has 20 receptions for 162 yard and four touchdowns.

In most mock drafts, Taylor is the consensus first running back taken off the board but in recent years the running back position has been devalued a bit in the NFL, so for most mock drafts he is a late first or likely second round pick.

The Draft Wire – Luke Easterling

Pick 29: Baltimore Ravens

"“This rushing attack is already dangerous, but Mark Ingram won’t be around forever, so the Ravens should be targeting a potential replacement sooner than later. Justice Hill is a promising change-of-pace back, but Taylor’s complete skill set and physical running style would be too perfect to pass up here."

The Draft Network – Jonah Tuls

Pick 22: Miami Dolphins

"“I think the Dolphins are going all in on changing this offense in the first round. This team needs an identity, and now that they got their franchise quarterback in Tua, Miami gets the face of their running game in Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor. Expect him to be the top running back on most teams’ boards.”"

The Draft Network – Benjamin Solak

Pick 25: Miami Dolphins

"“The Kenyan Drake trade quietly raises a huge need at running back for Miami — a need that may even warrant a first-round pick at the position. With Mark Walton and Kalen Ballage presenting final impact beyond what is blocked for them, so much pressure will be on Miami’s rookie quarterback to win in late and long downs, unless they’re able to address the running game with offensive line assistance and a dynamic ball-carrier.Enter Jonathan Taylor, a home-run hitter with tree-trunk thighs and a developed skill-set now that he’s gotten more involved in the Wisconsin passing game. Taylor is accustomed to and successful when getting 20+ touches a game, which may be the case through the early goings of Miami’s multi-year rebuild.”"

Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer

Pick 25: Indianapolis Colts

"“Marlon Mack is a good power back, but he has some durability issues and has lost some effectiveness behind the Colts’ elite line and can’t be a three-down option. Taylor (5-11, 219 pounds) has great vision and burst as a runner, and he doesn’t get enough credit for what he can do as a receiver, which has been on display more this season.”"

With a few games still remaining on the schedule, as well as all of the offseason workouts prior to the NFL Draft, a lot could very well change. But one thing that I do know, is that we are all going to miss seeing Jonathan Taylor in Badger red on Saturday’s.