Taylor Upshaw LB/EDGE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Taylor Upshaw LB/EDGE Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Draft Year: 2024 | |
| 40 time: 4.80 seconds (25%*) | |
| Overall Rank: #508 Position Rank: #42 (LB) | |
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Height:
6-4
(95%*)
Weight:
255
(94%*)
Weight:
255
(94%*)
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Hands:
9
(9%*)
Arm:
32 3/4
(67%*)
Arm:
32 3/4
(67%*)
Span:
79 5/8
(91%*)
Span:
79 5/8
(91%*)
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*Percentile caluculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine
historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
| |
| Draft Year: 2024 | ||
| 40 time: 4.80 seconds (25%*) | ||
| Overall Rank: #508 | Position Rank: #42 (LB) | |
| Height: 6-4 (95%*) | Weight: 255 (94%*) | |
| Hands: 9 (9%*) | Arm: 32 3/4 (67%*) | |
|
Span:
79 5/8
(91%*)
|
||
|
*Percentile caluculated on how any given stat would rank at the NFL combine
historically in the player's position group (Higher value represents better perfomance).
| ||
| Overall Rating: | 70.0 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Game performance weighted rating | ||
| Tackling: |
|
56% |
| Pass Rush: |
|
65% |
| Run Defense: |
|
66% |
| Coverage: |
|
70% |
| DRAFT PROJECTION: UDFA Position rank: #42 | ||
| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 706 | ||
ESPN RATING: 78/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Taylor Upshaw from Braden River High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Upshaw joined Michigan.In 2019 as a freshman Upshaw saw action in 5 games and played a total of 34 snaps for the Wolverines. He recorded only one tackle, no assists, while adding one stop.
As a sophomore for the Wolverines in 2020 Upshaw played in 6 games and took part in 209 snaps for the Wolverines. He recorded 10 tackles, 6 assists, while adding 8 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 6 total pressures, and 3 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and one sack during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Upshaw played in 12 games and contributed on 207 snaps. He recorded only 4 tackles, 2 assists while making 4 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 16 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 3 sacks on the year.
In 2022 as a senior Upshaw logged playing time in 13 games and logged a total of 256 snaps for the Wolverines. He also added only 8 tackles, no assists, and 9 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 20 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and a decent 4 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Good not great quickness and change of direction agility. Chases, using a long spin move to clear blocks. Low, strong off the line.
- Vision to locate the ball and recognize cut blocks. Can rip past blockers and pull down ballcarriers when Upshaw cannot fully disengage from linemen.
- He’s a high-motor player, and he shows good enough hand use, as well as a tight spin move, to win as an edge rusher.
- He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and he shows enough speed to succeed in backside pursuit. Upshaw plays with excellent balance and a strong, flexible core, rarely ending up on the ground.
- Possesses the length and power to ward off offensive tackles.
- He's not an elite pass rusher and projects as a left end in a 4-3 defense. If he layers on more muscle, he might fit in the 3-4. Size, strength and versatility should push him into the top 75 picks.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- He’s very much a work in progress with his hand in the dirt. Upshaw doesn’t play with ideal physicality, often failing to set the edge as a run defender.
- Rarely the first player off the snap, even when lined up over the ball, but his length, effort and short-area quickness still pressures double teams and helps penetrate gaps.
- Plays tall and gets upright off the snap. Wins with upper-body strength and needs to focus on leverage.
Taylor Upshaw percentiles vs other Linebacker's (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Taylor Upshaw (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
509.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
85.0