LA Rams News: 22 UDFA complete analysis post-2020 NFL Draft

DB diamond in the rough

The LA Rams were fortunate enough to sign some better than expected players after the NFL Draft.  They were the unfortunate players who very much displayed the athleticism and talent to warrant hearing their name called during the draft, but for some random reason of team needs, position depth, or simply random chance, failed to be lucky enough to be drafted. Some players simply did not fit in an NFL box, possessing enough qualities of multiple defensive roles to such an extent that NFL scouts failed to record the player as either role, and the player fell through the cracks. Such is the case for Florida State Seminoles’ defensive back Levonta Taylor.

XII- Levonta Taylor

One of the most talked-about signings after the 2020 NFL Draft occurred when the Rams signed Florida State Seminoles’ defensive back Levonta Taylor. This 5-foot-10 190-pound Florida State standout was on-track to hear his name called early in the 2020 NFL Draft until a 2018 back injury limited him to just seven games. Before that misfortunate injury, he was one of the best college defensive backs per Pro Football Focus, averaging 30.6 snaps between receptions targeting him. By the end of 2017, many scouting reports projected him as a first-round prospect. But his medical history flagged him in the worst possible year, and his draft stock plummeted.

He was a bit of a momentum-changing player, tying for fourth-place for the Florida State Seminoles’ record of returning two interceptions for touchdowns.  His return to football was neither rapid nor without incident. He suffered both back and hamstring injuries in 2018 and was clearly impacted by those injuries during his senior season as well when he converted to play at the safety position. He has plenty of experience as both cornerback and safety, and offers a unique class of player should he regain his top form.

On the LA Rams, his elite upside warrants giving him strong looks at the slot cornerback, outside cornerback, and safety roles. If he bulks up significantly, he would be a candidate for a nickel linebacker role as well. Despite his injury history, some draft analysts continue to project Taylor as high as round four in the NFL Draft. He could likely deserve that grade in a redraft if he can live up to his skill set as a hybrid defender for the Rams.