Packers: What do the Scouting Reports Say About RB Patrick Taylor?

Here is what a few draft analysts have to say about Green Bay Packers’ UDFA running back, Patrick Taylor of Memphis.

As I continue to take a closer look at the Green Bay Packers’ 2020 rookie class, next up is former Memphis running back and undrafted free agent (UDFA), Patrick Taylor.

When it comes to making the 53-man roster as a UDFA, there are two huge factors involved. Of course the first is that you have to perform. And the second is you need to play a position where there is an opening or lack of depth.

So when it comes to Taylor and the running back position, at least in 2020 there doesn’t seem to be a very clear path to the final roster. With Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon, and Tyler Ervin, the Green Bay Packers are likely at their limit.

Now I suppose they could try to trade Williams with the addition of Dillon, however, for the time being, my expectations are that Williams will be apart of this team in 2020. That means Taylor’s most likely path to making the team is via the practice squad. But it’s worth pointing out that the trio of Jones, Williams, and Ervin are all free agents next offseason. So as long as Taylor performs this summer and next, a year on the practice squad could lead to a roster spot in 2021.

While Taylor isn’t nearly as big as Dillon – although few are – he is a bigger back clocking in at 6’1″ – 217 pounds and a fairly athletic one at that with a Relative Athletic Score of 7.14 out of 10.

He was a productive back at Memphis, totaling 866 yards on 5.5 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns during his sophomore year in 2017. Then in 2018, he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 1,122 rushing yards at 5.4 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns.

Unfortunately this past season Taylor would battle injuries and appeared in only six games while averaging 4.5 yards per carry on his limited attempts.

In addition to what he can do on the ground, Taylor also has the potential to be a three-down back at the NFL level as he was able to hold his own as a pass-catcher in college. Over his career, he would total 55 receptions at 7.9 yards per catch with three scores. He even has some experience out of the slot, which is an important ability for running backs to have in Matt LaFleur’s offense. However, it’s worth pointing out that his pass-blocking needs work.

For a closer look at Taylor’s game and what he brings to the Green Bay Packers, here is what two draft analysts had to say about his game in their final scouting reports prior to the draft:

Kyle Crabbs – The Draft Network

"“Patrick Taylor Jr. projects as a specialist back at the pro level. Taylor Jr. has effective power and strength to play through contact balance at the POA. That said, his effectiveness pressing the LOS and his vision coming out of the mesh point are concerning qualities and his lack of polish as a blocker on 3rd downs is ineffective and will need to be totally reworked from the ground up. Taylor Jr. is a late round prospect whose positional value further mitigates his value in the 2020 Draft.”"

Lance Zierlein – NFL.com

"“Big runner who needs to learn to run like one on a consistent basis. He has size to impose his will but tends to tap the brakes rather than hit the gas into contact. He runs with decent footwork between the tackles and has good open-field speed to get away from chasers.His vision and burst are lacking a little and he needs a clear point of entry to operate with decisiveness. Taylor might be better off in a system that gives him his gap and lets him go. He has some third-down value in a pinch and has been successful as a short-yardage option in college.”"

As I’ve already mentioned, just given the current state of the running back position in Green Bay, the odds of Taylor making the 53-man roster this season are slim. But with that said, if he can prove the be effective both in the running game and passing game, a spot on the practice squad should be available and who knows what will happen in 2021 with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Jones, Williams, and Ervin.