2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Keith Taylor

NAME: Keith Taylor

POSITION: Cornerback

SCHOOL: Washington

HEIGHT: 6’2”

WEIGHT: 191 pounds

CAREER BACKGROUND

A California native, Keith Taylor began his high school football career at St. John Bosco. Following an impressive sophomore season, he transferred to Servite High School for his junior year. He did not get to make much of an impact on the gridiron that year however, as the local transfer policy forced him to sit out. Taylor still had a solid season that year during track and field season. A standout sprinter, he was able to set a personal best of 10.89 seconds in the 100 meter dash. Following his senior season, Taylor received many accolades for football. This included PrepStar All-West Region, first team All-Trinity League at cornerback and second team Orange County Register All-County. Taylor committed to Washington over other offers like Oregon, Arizona State and Cal.

With the departures of Kevin King and Sidney Jones from the Huskies’ program to the NFL, it opened the door for Keith in his true freshman season. He appeared in 12 of 13 games. Taylor then earned a starting role for the next three seasons, beginning in 2018. Playing in 31 total games during that span, he notched key tackles and pass breakups in crucial moments. Most notably, was Taylor’s Pac 12 Championship Game appearance in 2018 against Utah. He earned key team awards across his final two seasons with the Huskies. This included the Earle T. Glant Tough Husky Award and the UW’s coaches’ Husky Excellence Award. Taylor took part in the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl as well. He flashed in the Saturday game all day long, recording two tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

SCOUTING REPORT

Positives

Awareness

Taylor’s spatial awareness stood out tremendously year after year with Washington. He has a solid feel for where his landmarks are on the field. When receivers are running deep routes near the sideline, Taylor stays under control and turns his head around at the correct time seemingly most of the time. On routes into the middle of the field, he feels where his help is at fairly well. Meanwhile, Taylor stays calm in moments where he needs to squeeze on routes in front of him. The cornerback rarely gets surprised or stuck watching the football. He does well to keep one eye on his man and one eye on the football, so to speak.

Speed

We mentioned his blazing track and field speed earlier. The quickness he displayed with the Huskies and at the 2021 Senior Bowl was even more impressive. Taylor has a strong knack for knowing when to open his hips and turning to run with the opposing receiver. It may be a bit premature sometimes. But, Taylor has the loose, fluid hips and outstanding agility to recover if need be. That rarely is needed, though. He can run stride for stride with seemingly any receiver and stick close to their hip. Simply, Taylor makes it extremely difficult for quarterbacks to find a window to fit the ball into around him.

Flexibility

Taylor can survive against speed demon receivers, due to his recovery ability. His lateral mobility can lead to pass breakups at the top of routes. More importantly, it can result in opponent’s struggling to finish their routes. Taylor also possesses the change of direction skills needed to cover deep down the field or against crossing routes. Aided by ample length, stout hips and quick feet, he is a nightmare for receivers to go up against in press man coverage. The way he can twist and contort his body leads to multiple opportunities for him to make a play on the football.

Negatives

Ball Skills

During his time at Washington, Taylor did not record a single interception. Being able to finish on key chances and getting his hands near the ball quicker will lead to more success at the NFL level. On the other hand, Taylor will become a more complete player by getting his arms and eyes up faster. He has the length and the smarts to get it done. Utilizing that has been hit or miss overall. On the bright side, it appeared that he had been working on this a ton between the conclusion of the 2020 season and the Senior Bowl. Taylor’s results during the week in Mobile, Alabama were highlighted by a series of pass breakups, quicker reactions and a more well rounded technique on balls in the air. That added intensity and attitude was also an encouraging sight.

Tackling

The power on his tackles is a bit underwhelming. Especially when you consider his size and length, Taylor will have to find that aggression more consistently at the next level. He usually tended to miss time tackle attempts with Washington. As a result, Taylor would come in too low or too late. This allowed the opposing receiver or ball carrier to bounce off of him and pick up additional yardage. More often than not, this led to explosive plays or scores for the opposing team. There is certainly a willingness to want to make tackles. Yet, finding that control and confidence factor will be key.

Physicality

His pass breakup numbers were fine at Washington. However, one would like to see more aggressiveness at the catch point. Taylor has the ability to shut receivers down in press man coverage. The question is, can he finish by making more disruptions while the ball is in the air? Once again, he responded very well in this regard at the Senior Bowl. Taylor will be asked to bring that out more actively in the future. The bottom line, is that the cornerback has all the tools to frustrate opponents, both before the pass reaches the receiver and at the top of routes. Can he become that reliably fierce defender on the outside that he is capable of being?

Chiefs Fit

A player that has length and awareness has a good chance at sticking at the cornerback spot with the Kansas City Chiefs. Add in the athletic upside that this player presents, and Keith Taylor has the potential to be at least a solid CB2 on an NFL roster. As for his scheme fit with Kansas City, the comfort and dominance he can have in man coverage would translate smoothly with the Chiefs. Elsewhere, his ability to pass off and communicate well in zone coverage would gel well with defenders like Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill and Daniel Sorensen. Perhaps Steve Spagnuolo can get that aggressive side to resonate more often. If so, Taylor could become an air tight defensive back, adding on to the already impressive group that has overachieved on the Chiefs.

Be on the lookout for our final FPC Chiefs draft prospect profiles throughout the next couple of weeks. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.

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