2018 NFL Draft: Florida’s Taven Bryan could be disruptive force
Florida defensive tackle Taven Bryan needs to learn some more about pass rushing, but his speed and power make him an intriguing 2018 NFL Draft prospect.
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UF fans did not have a good 2017. Their coach went batty and they finished the season 4-7. The Gators may not be the same team that they were in the Tim Tebow era, but there is a great deal of talent at Florida and they should have had a better season in 2018.
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan was one of the few bright spots for the Gators in 2017. He started in all 11 games–the team had to cancel one due to the hurricane–and finished the season with 40 tackles with six for a loss and four sacks. The guy is huge at 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds, but he can move.
Strengths
Bryan fits into a variety of schemes and can play a variety of techniques. In a 4-3 defensive scheme, Bryan can use his speed and power to create disruption in the backfield. He is flexible, athletic, and very agile with an explosive push-pull and punch release. He has great pursuit speed, particularly for an inside player.
His athleticism is surprising for his size. At the NFL Combine, Bryan ran a 4.98 second 40-yard dash and did well the vertical jump and broad jump. Bryan is sturdy which will help him defend the run.
Considering he didn’t have a career as a starter until his junior year, it’s amazing the skill set that Bryan has managed to put together.
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Weaknesses
Bryan hasn’t played a lot of football yet. He will need to refine his instincts and his techniques to do well in the NFL. If he can find a team that will allow him to use his speed to create gaps and cause disruption behind the line of scrimmage, he will do well. He will need some patient coaching to allow him to develop as a player and gain some better pass rush moves.
If he gets drafted by a team with high turnover, he might not be given that chance. Let’s face it–developing raw talent takes time, and teams want to see a return on their investment.
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Draft expectations
Analysts have compared Bryan to J.J. Watt–he definitely can make the big plays like Watt. He might be a first-round pick, particularly after his combine workout. His lack of instincts and his need to develop better pass rush play might hold him back.
Projection: Late first round to early second round