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The 2025 NFL Draft is going to be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay. Four Pittsburgh Panther football players were among the 329 players invited to the NFL Scouting Combine from February 24-March 3.
None of the four draft-eligible Panthers will hear their names called on the first night of the draft. It's also unlikely that any will be selected on Day 2, during rounds two and three.
That doesn't mean that the Panthers aren't providing this draft with some talent. Here is one such Pitt prospect who could make teams regret passing on him in the earlier rounds.
Attending Pittsburgh after graduating from Elyria Catholic High School in Lorain, OH., Taylor comes into the draft as a fifth-year senior. He's been a starter since the 2022 campaign, though missed the last seven contests of this past season due to knee surgery.
A right tackle though most of his Panthers career, Taylor was asked to move to left tackle last year and was voted a team captain. He handled the position change well before being injured.
Pittsburgh started 6-0 last season with Taylor in the lineup and averaged 29.3 points in four games against ACC and Big 12 opponents. Without him, the Panthers finished 1-6 and averaged 19.2 points in their final five regular season outings.
For the NFL, Taylor projects as a right tackle or perhaps an inside move to guard. At Pitt, he struggled with athletic edge rushers. He had a tendency to open up his stance too early to overcompensate for his shorter arms and slower footwork. This left him vulnerable for inside counter moves or put him out of position against an inside stunt or blitz.
Taylor's knee surgery obviously raises concerns for scouts and coaches. He didn't participate in any of the drills at the Scouting Combine. Pitt's Pro Day is March 26, which could be more revealing regarding Taylor's medical status.
In pass protection, Taylor handles power rushers with excellent strength and leverage. He can combat speed rushers by quickly getting into position at the snap and maintains positioning throughout a rep without giving ground.
Taylor shows advanced skills as a run blocker. He fires off the line with formidable power and leverage, also showing the agility to get to the second level of a defense effectively. Pitt's running game often had it's best success running to his side.
At 6'6" and 321-Lbs., Taylor can overwhelm defenders with power. He also has the technique and agility to improve as a pass blocker. I believe that his ideal NFL fit is at guard, where his run blocking abilities will stand out best as he develops in pass protection.
Branson Taylor projects as a later Day 2 selection. For a team that needs versatile power blockers, he may be a draft steal capable of developing into a starter.
None of the four draft-eligible Panthers will hear their names called on the first night of the draft. It's also unlikely that any will be selected on Day 2, during rounds two and three.
That doesn't mean that the Panthers aren't providing this draft with some talent. Here is one such Pitt prospect who could make teams regret passing on him in the earlier rounds.
Attending Pittsburgh after graduating from Elyria Catholic High School in Lorain, OH., Taylor comes into the draft as a fifth-year senior. He's been a starter since the 2022 campaign, though missed the last seven contests of this past season due to knee surgery.
A right tackle though most of his Panthers career, Taylor was asked to move to left tackle last year and was voted a team captain. He handled the position change well before being injured.
Pittsburgh started 6-0 last season with Taylor in the lineup and averaged 29.3 points in four games against ACC and Big 12 opponents. Without him, the Panthers finished 1-6 and averaged 19.2 points in their final five regular season outings.
For the NFL, Taylor projects as a right tackle or perhaps an inside move to guard. At Pitt, he struggled with athletic edge rushers. He had a tendency to open up his stance too early to overcompensate for his shorter arms and slower footwork. This left him vulnerable for inside counter moves or put him out of position against an inside stunt or blitz.
Taylor's knee surgery obviously raises concerns for scouts and coaches. He didn't participate in any of the drills at the Scouting Combine. Pitt's Pro Day is March 26, which could be more revealing regarding Taylor's medical status.
In pass protection, Taylor handles power rushers with excellent strength and leverage. He can combat speed rushers by quickly getting into position at the snap and maintains positioning throughout a rep without giving ground.
Taylor shows advanced skills as a run blocker. He fires off the line with formidable power and leverage, also showing the agility to get to the second level of a defense effectively. Pitt's running game often had it's best success running to his side.
At 6'6" and 321-Lbs., Taylor can overwhelm defenders with power. He also has the technique and agility to improve as a pass blocker. I believe that his ideal NFL fit is at guard, where his run blocking abilities will stand out best as he develops in pass protection.
Branson Taylor projects as a later Day 2 selection. For a team that needs versatile power blockers, he may be a draft steal capable of developing into a starter.
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