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Tennessee football: Draft grades for every Vol selected since 2017

By Dean Zulkofske

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 21: Derek Barnett #96 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field on October 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Feb 27, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (LB36) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor (LB36) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2020 Round 2 No. 48. Darrell Taylor. 6. player. Linebacker. 36. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Draft Grade: B-

Similar to Jauan Jennings of Tennessee football’s 2020 draft selections, Darrell Taylor has not appeared in a game for the organization that drafted him. The Seattle Seahawks surprised a few draft experts but won over the hearts of Vol Nation by trading up to select the edge rusher in the second round. They actually considered using their first-round draft pick on Taylor.

Rehabbing from surgery for a stress fractured fibula sidelined Taylor for all of his rookie season in 2020. Head coach Pete Carroll was hopeful that working with team trainers would allow Taylor to see the field as a rookie. Although that wasn’t the case, Taylor shouldn’t be viewed as a “bust”.

Each year, NFL teams evaluate draft prospects on their own terms. Just because Mel Kiper Jr. believes someone is a first-round talent doesn’t mean the people making the actual decisions think that way, too. The Seahawks saw Taylor as the edge rusher with the highest ceiling in the 2020 class, and they were able to snag him in the second round. That’s a great value.

Remembering why Seattle liked him so much in the first place makes it harder to jump on the Hopewell, Va. native for missing his rookie season. The Seahawks’ pass rush ranked among the worst in the NFL last year. They see Taylor as their pass rusher for many years to come. Knowing he’ll be given ample opportunity to play in Seattle makes him a good pick until proven otherwise.

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