The Retort

Draft Preview: Achilles Heel?

February 19th, 2010 by Joe Olivo Of The Retort Staff

Freakish athlete, chiseled physique, intimidator: these are some of the words used to describe USC’s Taylor Mays. But the questions of Mays have nothing to do with his physical skills. On paper you couldn’t draw up a NFL safety any better. He can run a reported sub 4.4 40-yard dash. He is a workout warrior who always keeps his body in the best shape possible. “He looks like God sculpted him out of granite,” remarked NFL analyst Mike Mayock.

Mays was raised in Seattle, Washington by his father, former NFL defensive linemen Stafford Mays. He attended O’Dea High School, a Catholic boys school. Coming out of high school Mays was ranked as the top college prospect in the state of Washington.

He decided to attend the University of Southern California over the likes of UCLA and Miami. Mays started at free safety during the 2006 season, his freshman year, recording 62 tackles and three interceptions. In 2007, Mays recorded 65 tackles and one interception while being named an All American. In 2008, he had his worst statistical season recording just 53 tackles and no turnover, but was still named to the All American team. Mays was strongly considered as the top safety prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft, but decided to return for his senior year, stating that he wanted to finish his education and lead USC to a national championship.

In his senior year Mays recorded 88 tackles and one interception, and was again voted an All American. However, his stock has been falling ever since his decision to return to college for his senior year. The biggest question marks for Mays are about his playmaking ability. Having only recorded five interceptions for a player as athletic and playing on as talented a team as he was, its hard to understand why he didn’t make more plays. He has stated that he too often plays the receivers and not the ball, opting to go for a big hit rather than an interception.

Mays attended this year’s Senior Bowl to prove to scouts that he was a player maker. That decision may have hurt his draft stock even more. He constantly struggled in one-on-one passing drills, missed open field tackles and didn’t show that his athletic skills translated on field. As of now, a lot of scouts believe that he has dropped from a top-ten pick to the bottom of the first round and possibly into the second. Mays will need to have a good combine and pro day to help make sure his draft stock doesn’t fall any further. Mays has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the NFL but he needs to develop awareness and instincts in order to have more production.

While there are plenty of question marks about Mays, one thing is sure - he isn’t short on confidence or ability. When asked if he should play strong or free safety in the NFL he responded by flexing his arm and saying, “I am a strong-free safety.”

Height: 6'3”

Weight: 230 lbs.

Comparable at the next level: Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

Projected draft spot: 14 overall, Seattle Seahawks