2019 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 Prospects entering NFL Combine

Florida’s Jawaan Taylor is another prospect on the rise who could challenge to be the draft’s top offensive lineman. Oklahoma’s Cody Ford and Alabama’s Jonah Williams might project best as guards in the NFL, while Taylor is a no-doubt tackle. The league places a lot more value on tackles than guards, which could cause Taylor to continue shooting up draft boards between now and April.

Taylor put together a strong junior season in Gainesville, helping the Gators leap from a four win 2017 to a ten win 2018 that culminated in a Peach Bowl victory over Michigan.

Taylor played right tackle at Florida and that’s where he best projects in the NFL. He has strong hands, helping him be a dominant pass blocker. He has great size and excellent mobility. He has strong lateral mobility that helps him fend off speed rushers off the edge. If he can get his hands on you then it’s all over.

He has some technique stuff that needs to be cleaned up, most notably utilizing his leverage properly, but he has a high ceiling and projects to in the very least be a starting caliber tackle at the next level.

Along with Ford, Taylor figures to be in play as high Jacksonville’s pick at No. 7. Miami at No. 13, Cleveland at No. 17, and Minnesota at No. 18 also make sense inside the Top 20. It’s difficult to see him slipping much further than that, but the Texans would end that slide at No. 23 if a player of his talent was still available.