hagan714

Vikings | ......released
ERIC TAYLOR
Position: DT
Class: Sr
School: Memphis
Conference: C-USA
Ht., Wt.: 6'3, 295
40 Time: 4.97
Grade: 3.49

Selected by Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 7, pick 11 (212 overall)
BIO: Three year starter who posted 82/10/4 as a senior also intercepting 1 pass and breaking up 8 more.

POSITIVES: Nice-sized, athletic two-gap lineman that is one of the hidden gems in this year's draft. Breaks down well, quick changing direction and makes plays up and down the line of scrimmage. Adjusts off the initial block, stays on his feet and displays a burst of speed getting to the play. Good run defender, effective in pursuit and a tough prospect that likes to mix it up and get involved in the action. Naturally strong, displays the ability to defeat blocks and effectively uses hand technique to keep opponents away.

NEGATIVES: Must bend his knees and learn to play with leverage. Lacks balance, ducks his head and not explosive in any aspect. Slow locating the action.

ANALYSIS: Taylor is a prototypical two-gap lineman that can also play in a variety of defensive schemes. Offers a good amount of upside potential and is a terrific athlete for a 310 pound lineman. It would not be a
surprise to see him go in the middle rounds of April's draft, or to find Taylor on a final roster next September.

Dustin Fox
Position: CB
Class: Sr
School: Ohio St.
Conference: Big Ten
Ht., Wt.: 5-11, 191
40 Time: 4.52
Selected by: Minnesota Vikings
Round 3, pick 16 (80 overall) Grading System

BIO: Three-year starter who posted 28/0/3 in nine games of an abbreviated senior campaign when he was sidelined with an arm injury. All-Conference selection as a junior after tallying 77/3/9. Experienced at both cornerback and safety and productive on special teams.

POSITIVES: Tough, feisty defensive back with a good head for the position. Alert, displays good ball awareness and immediately locates the pass in the air. Leads the defensive secondary, hard working and takes on bigger opponents defending screen passes. Positions himself to make a play on the ball and does a nice job reading receivers' eyes.

NEGATIVES: Quick out of his backpedal and prefers to side shuffle down the field. Marginal playing speed and struggles staying downfield with opponents. Consistently playing catch-up.

ANALYSIS: An instinctive prospect with solid size/speed numbers and excellent intangibles, Fox is coming off a disappointing senior campaign. And though it was marred by injury, scouts still wonder about his potential for the next level. Previously displayed himself as a potential first-day pick but now a late-round choice who will fight to see action as a nickel back in the NFL.

CB Tony Beckham http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/foo...ers/99789.html