J'Mari Taylor RB Virginia |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #3 ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/16/2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.63 seconds (27%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #3 | |
| ROLE: DUAL-ROLE Back | |
| Last Updated: 03/16/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| Forty time: 4.63 seconds (27%*) | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
| Overall Rating: | 81.2 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
|
80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Rushing: |
|
82% |
| Break Tackles: |
|
73% |
| Receiving/Hands: |
|
63% |
| Pass Blocking: |
|
53% |
| Run Blocking: |
|
58% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#190
Position rank:
#10 (RB)
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 1500 | ||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Blake Watson - Memphis |
|
82% |
| Trevor Etienne - Georgia |
|
82% |
| Jerome Ford - Cincinnati |
|
81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
J'Mari Taylor, the 204-pound back didn't crack 1,000 yards rushing until his redshirt senior season at FCS North Carolina Central in 2024, posting 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns while becoming the Eagles' first four-digit rusher in nearly two decades. Taylor built his game in relative obscurity at NCCU, steadily climbing from special teams contributor as a redshirt freshman in 2021 to third-team All-MEAC honors in 2022 before his breakout 2024 campaign, where he graded out as PFF's 20th-ranked rusher in FCS. That performance caught Virginia's attention during the transfer portal cycle, and Tony Elliott brought him to Charlottesville to inject some physicality into the Cavaliers' backfield.The transition from FCS to Power Four competition didn't faze Taylor one bit. He took over as Virginia's feature back in 2025 and proceeded to lead the ACC in rushing yards (1,062), rushing attempts (187), and yards after contact (653) while forcing 48 missed tackles and scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. His 150-yard, three-touchdown performance at NC State announced his arrival on the big stage, and he followed that up with multiple 100-yard efforts, including a 133-yard explosion against Duke featuring a 78-yard touchdown run that tied for 11th-longest in program history. Taylor earned first-team All-ACC honors and became UVA's first 1,000-yard rusher since Jordan Ellis in 2018, doing it all while battling through various bumps and bruises that would have sidelined lesser competitors.
His senior season at Virginia showcased both his production and his versatility, as Taylor contributed 253 receiving yards and added a passing touchdown on a trick play against Virginia Tech. He earned Senior Bowl and Burlsworth Trophy recognition while demonstrating the consistency coaches crave, never missing a game despite playing through injury. Taylor's career numbers tell the story of steady development: 2,944 rushing yards, 37 rushing touchdowns, 97 receptions for 868 receiving yards, and 10 receiving scores across five collegiate seasons. That workload, combined with his late-bloomer profile and smaller stature, creates an interesting evaluation puzzle for NFL decision-makers looking for value in the middle rounds.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Contact balance stands out immediately on tape as Taylor absorbs hits from linebackers and safeties without going down, consistently churning out an extra 3-5 yards after defenders think they have him wrapped up.
- Vision between the tackles allows him to find cutback lanes in zone schemes with excellent patience, letting blocks develop before hitting the crease with conviction and decisive footwork.
- Footwork in tight spaces creates separation through jump cuts and lateral agility that keeps defenders grasping at air, as evidenced by his 54 forced missed tackles in 2025.
- Runs with legitimate nastiness and finishes runs by lowering his shoulder into contact rather than sliding out of bounds, displaying the kind of toughness that earns respect in NFL locker rooms.
- Pass protection willingness stands out for a smaller back, as he squares up blitzers and delivers pop on contact despite giving up 40-50 pounds to most edge rushers.
- Receiving skills translate beyond checkdowns with soft hands and enough route diversity to motion into the slot, catching 97 balls in his college career while averaging over 8 yards per reception.
- Durability proves itself through his availability despite heavy workload, playing through minor ailments while handling 20-plus carries in multiple games without breaking down over the season.
- Burst through the hole at the second level generates explosive runs when he gets to the perimeter, showing 4.39 speed (93rd percentile) that can stress defenses horizontally and create home-run potential.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Size limitations at 5'9" and 204 pounds raise durability questions against NFL linebackers and safeties who will bring significantly more force than ACC defenders brought to the tackle point.
- Pass protection technique needs refinement as he sometimes lunges at rushers rather than staying square, and while he competes hard his 51% pass-blocking grade reflects inconsistent fundamentals against speed.
- Long speed doesn't match his initial burst, as he gets run down from behind on breakaway attempts more often than his 40-time suggests he should based on game tape analysis.
- Limited sample size against elite competition raises questions about how his game translates, considering he spent four years at FCS level before one productive season in a Power Four conference.
- Route running lacks polish beyond basic option routes and swings, limiting his ability to create mismatches in the passing game against linebackers who can match his athleticism at the next level.
Scouting Report: Summary
Taylor profiles as a complementary back who can contribute immediately on third down while developing into a committee role over his rookie contract. His best football comes between the tackles where his contact balance and vision allow him to maximize what's blocked, and NFL teams running inside zone concepts will appreciate how he sets up linebackers before cutting back against their flow. The receiving skills give him staying power in an era where backs need to offer value in the passing game, though he's more reliable outlet than vertical threat at this stage. His willingness in pass protection, even with technical flaws, means he won't get run off the field on obvious passing downs like many rookie backs do.The concerns are legitimate but not disqualifying. His size puts a ceiling on his every-down potential, and you're probably not building a game plan around him as your featured back. But Taylor's shown he can handle volume when needed, his tape reveals genuine football toughness, and his production against ACC competition validates he belongs on this level. Teams looking for a back who can spell their starter, contribute on third down, and provide special teams value will find a lot to like here. His late development path actually works in his favor from a mileage standpoint, as he doesn't have the wear and tear of backs who've been featured since their freshman year.
The landing spot matters significantly for Taylor's career trajectory. Put him in a system that asks him to press the A-gap, make one cut, and get vertical, and he'll produce. Ask him to bounce everything outside or make him the focal point of your running game, and you'll expose his limitations. He's the type of back who maximizes his physical gifts through instincts and effort, which means good coaching can develop him into a quality NFL contributor. Day three investment with immediate special teams value and the upside to carve out a defined role in an NFL backfield by year two.
J'Mari Taylor percentiles vs other Running Backs (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate J'Mari Taylor (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
171.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.