Round 6: Memphis RB Patrick Taylor, Jr.
6-1, 217 – Senior – 4.57

PREVIOUS PICK: Miami ILB Shaquille Quarterman

Tampa Bay ends the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting another running back in Taylor, who brings added size to the backfield at a well-chiseled 6-foot-1, 217 pounds. With Peyton Barber moving on in free agency and the team wanting to give Dare Ogunbowale competition for the third-down back role, the Bucs double up at the position by drafting Florida State’s Cam Akers in the third round and Taylor in the sixth.

Taylor was the Tigers’ second-leading rusher behind Darrell Henderson (1,909 yards) in 2018 – not Tony Pollard, who had 552 yards. That year, Taylor had a career-high 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns and was primed for a big senior season with the departure of Henderson and Pollard to the NFL before a Week 1 ankle injury forced him to miss eight games and limit his production.

Physically, Taylor resembles David Johnson, a former Arizona running back who flourished in Arians’ scheme. While Taylor isn’t as shifty or electric as Johnson was in the open field, he runs with good power and has good hands in the passing game. He also thrived around the goal line and was often used as a Wildcat QB in Memphis’ goal line packages, racking up 36 career rushing TDs.

Taylor’s Memphis Career Rushing Stats
2016: 93 rushes for 546 yards (5.9 avg.), 2 TDs
2017: 157 rushes for 866 yards (5.5 avg.), 13 TDs
2018: 208 rushes for 1,122 yards (5.4 avg.), 16 TDs
2019: 78 rushes for 350 yards (4.5 avg.), 5 TDs

Taylor’s Memphis Career Receiving Stats
2016: 11 rec. for 37 yards (3.4 avg.)
2017: 19 rec. for 148 yards (7.8 avg.), 1 TD
2018: 17 rec. for 197 yards (11.6 avg.), 2 TDs
2019: 8 rec. for 52 yards (6.5 avg.)

Taylor had 11 100-yard games for the Tigers, with 14 plays of 30 yards or more, including six plays of 50 yards or more in his four years in Memphis. Taylor has the physical tools to contribute on special teams early in his career, while he competes with Ogunbowale and Akers for the role as the third-down back. Taylor might be the best back in pass protection, which aids his cause, but he also had 55 career receptions for 434 yards and three touchdowns through the air.