After having eight players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Florida will produce a much smaller draft class this year.
Defensive tackle Taven Bryan could push his way into the first round, as many expect he’ll boost his draft stock considerably at the NFL Scouting Combine next month. There has been no shortage of buzz for the physical wrecking ball who had a breakout junior season for the Gators.
Bleacher Report highlighted him in its “Overlooked 1st-Round Prospects” piece, writing: “Bryan consistently gets solid push up the middle, and his high-motor style allows him to keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks, even when plays are extended.”
Several reporters and/or arm-chair draft analysts have posted videos highlighting Bryan’s abilities as a disruptive force in the middle of the line.
John Owning of FanRag Sports posted a series of videos breaking down Bryan’s strengths:
Taven Bryan has very active hands. Layers a swipe move his left before transitioning into an arm over move to his right. pic.twitter.com/Os6saSl5Gf
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018
Don’t know many DT’s who can corner and flatten like that. TB uses the rip move as his primary means of attack. Needs to do a better job of not getting widened on contact. pic.twitter.com/fEDYG47GY3
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018
Ben Fennell, who works with the NFL Network, did his own Twitter breakdown of Bryan:
Taven Bryan has one of the best first steps I’ve seen from an interior DT… Watch him first from SL/All-22 angle on film and see the jump he gets…
Once he destroys the combine next month, he’ll be in RD1 talks across the board… pic.twitter.com/jWXiMhIil3
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 28, 2018
Florida has had a defensive player selected in the first