With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, we’re wrapping things up by offering player profiles on all the UDFAs signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise’s history is strong with diamonds in the rough though in recent years. Hopefully the can find some who may have been overlooked in this year’s group.
#91 Calvin Taylor/DE Kentucky – 6’8/2 310
The Good
– Rare height and length, especially for the position
– Flashes power on punch with proper placement and leverage, can overwhelm undersized guards and centers and collapse the pocket
– Shows strength at point of attack and can stalemate offensive linemen in the run game
– Runs hard to the ball, chases sideline-to-sideline and doesn’t quit on plays
– Gets hands up in throwing lanes, can disrupt throws even without pressure
– Versatile and played up and down the line in a 3-4 front
– Played more snaps, rotated less than expected
– Good production, burst onto scene senior season, with impressive sack totals
The Bad
– Big body but thin lower half, skinny legs/ankles
– Lumbers around, moves and runs like a baby deer in tight space and when asked to change directions
– Works hard to get off ground but easily cut and taken to the ground
– Lacks go-to pass rush move when bull fails/isn’t used, unrefined, not a great hand fighter who tires and gets stuck on blocks when initial move stalls out
– Predictably struggles with leverage, gets too tall upon contact and loses leverage/length, gets swallowed up and too tight to the blocker, making it difficult for him to shed blocks
– Slow off snap and often takes too long to engage with blocker
– Struggles to finish and misses too many tackles/chances
– Average starting experience
– Project who may need position switch for best chance to succeed in NFL
Bio
– 22 career starts, took over starting role midway through 2018 season
– Career: 85 tackles (16.