With the fifth pick (No. 223 overall) in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Temple defensive tackle Jullian Taylor.
After four years with the Owls, Taylor broke out during his senior season. He appeared in just three games before 2017, but registered 41 combined tackles and 11 sacks in 12 games last season, according to Sports Reference.
Taylor's 2015 season was cut short following a season-ending left knee injury in the opener against Penn State that required arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. In 2016, he saw action in Temple's first three games but missed the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL in the same knee, which was also suffered against Penn State.
Taylor's 12.3 run-stop percentage ranked third among qualifying defensive tackles in 2017, per Pro Football Focus.
The 49ers had a "working dinner" with Taylor on March 18, the night before his pro day. Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst reported that Taylor "stole the show" during that pro day workout.
I've dug through some film of 49ers' seventh rounder Jullian Taylor. It's not all weaker competition. Here, he beats Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson (a top-10 pick) to stuff a run. pic.twitter.com/A7oyJVZhqb
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) April 28, 2018
NFL.com projected Taylor to be a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote the following about Taylor within his scouting report:
"Despite just one season as a full-time player, Taylor's combination of tape and his pro day workout has put him on the radar of teams looking for camp competition at defensive tackle. Taylor's durability could obviously be a hindrance for teams considering him, but he plays with good hands and balance at the point of attack and this season's play could be a sign of what he's capable of if he stays healthy."
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following the following about Taylor within his scouting report:
"Taylor was not on the scouting radar entering the season, but after a tremendous senior campaign he's poised to be a late-round choice. He possesses the athleticism, growth potential and upside to be used as a three-technique tackle or a two-gap end as he physically matures over time and improves his playing strength."
Measurables
Height: 6-5
Weight: 280 lbs.
