by Ben Volin The Dolphins have added depth to their secondary, drafting Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor with their second-round pick Friday night (54th overall).

Taylor, who stands 5-11 and 192 pounds, is a three-year starter who compiled four interceptions, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups as a senior.

He will likely compete with Dimitri Patterson and Nolan Carroll for the Dolphins’ No. 3 cornerback spot behind Richard Marshall and Brent Grimes.

STRENGTHS: Instinctive, dependable cornerback with good overall size and athleticism. Versatile corner with extensive experience playing off-man and zone coverage. Possesses a quick, tight back pedal and has fluid hips to turn and run with receivers.

Good straight-line speed and possesses good burst out of his breaks. Reportedly was timed at 4.33 seconds in the 40-yard dash by Boise State coaches and clocked a 4.37 at the Scouting Combine.


Breaks quickly on underneath routes, showing the ability to close on the ball to make the interception. Good ball skills, including good leaping ability and timing. Good upper body strength and competitiveness for jump-ball situations.


Reliable run defender who doesn't back down from a challenge. Keeps his containment responsibilities, showing the ability to break free from blocks and is a reliable open field tackler who plays with toughness. Named a team captain in 2012 and is viewed by the coaching staff as one of the team's hardest workers.


WEAKNESSES: Only occasionally asked to play press and may lack the size and arm length to fit in this scheme. Aggressive and can be fooled by double-moves.


Was rarely challenged in 2012 and hasn't faced top-notch competition on a weekly basis throughout his career. Has struggled a bit with injuries and will need to be checked closely by team doctors at the Combine.


COMPARES TO: Ronde Barber, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Needless to say, Taylor has a long ways to go before a comparison to long-time standout Barber is earned, but they share several similarities, not the least of which is good instincts, a burst to close, reliable open-field tackling ability and a strong work ethic.


--Rob Rang

COMPARES TO: Ronde Barber, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Excellent!

Ireland doing a great job!

I think he beats out Marshall for the starting CB opposite Grimes

Seriously you say that for everything.

Sorry, it's a new experience for me. I was fully on board the Fireland train. I have not been pleased with his performance... that is until this offseason. I think he is knocking the ball out of the park!

I don't like the Bess trade though. We will see what he does in round 3 and with the LT situation.

The Patriots need a corner BADLY...were all over him in the pre-draft process, and then passed him up 3 times. That's concerning.

I'm on board with Dion, but this guy gives up some serious size to many NFL wideouts, if they're going to play him on the outside. Not to mention rarely (if ever) lined up against legit competitioni n college. This pick reminds me of the times Ireland tries too hard to unearth diamonds from acorns.

The Miami Dolphins added help to fix their leaky pass defense. Miami drafted Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor with its second-round pick.

I like this pick for Miami. Taylor is a strong corner with size who could pair with free-agent signing Brent Grimes. The Dolphins were 27th against the pass last year and added a pass-rusher (Dion Jordan) and cover skills in the draft..

I about did a back flip when I saw we got him. Very happy with the pick.

I'm not saying other wise.

I'm talking about Boise St. specifically. Not small school CB's.

...

Analysis
Strengths ...

Will stick his nose in the run game when he is able to set the edge.

Weaknesses ...

Inconsistent tackler in space, can break down to wrap legs but also gives weak cut efforts.

Bottom Line ...

Since he remained helathy during his senior year, Taylor is poised for a second day or mid round selection, but he would be wise to improve his play against the run when in space.

Good tackler, plays the ball well, physical corner.

I like the pick.

I admittedly don't know a ton about this guy. But from what I've read he seems like a solid prospect. He just plays for Boise St. so he doesn't get a ton of coverage. While I like that we took a cornerback (because we badly need some help in the secondary), I can't help but wonder what we would have done if one of the bigger corners were still on the board (Banks or Amerson). Either way he's a Dolphin now so I hope he can step in right away and compete for playing time. He should be solid competition for Patterson.

You mean Marshall?

Rock, you need to get over your hard-on for guys from big schools. Little schools produce talent to

ESPN disagrees with you on his size and his ability to "defend many NFL wideouts".





http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/ ... mar-taylor

No Patterson. I believe we're going to move Marshall back to the nickel corner position (the reason we signed him in the first place). With the way Patterson played down the stretch, I think we're going to let him compete with this rookie for the other outside cornerback spot across from Grimes.

Marshall I believe will compete with the corner we took in the 3rd, Will Davis from Utah State.

B Dolphins select: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

Taylor is a heck of a corner. When you watched Boise, he was all over the field. I thought he was a first-round talent.

Whatever you say pumper. How much do the Dolphins pay you to post?

I know i liked him. Was graded well.