
Bryan may be a bit raw as a football player, he has rare athletic traits. Is he the type of player the Patriots might invest in early in the draft?
Background
- From Casper, Wyoming.
- Known as a humble, hard working guy. Comes from down to earth, blue collar, supportive family. Father was former Navy Seal. Tavon would regularly go to work w/ his father before school.
- Wants to be coached & taught. Nicknamed “Wyoming Wildman” by his DL coach.
- Loves playing football. Isn’t obsessed w/ it in terms of watching it on Sundays, stats etc.
Strengths
- Pass Rush, Flexibility & Quicks – Natural Strength that moves & sheds defenders. Great 1st step. Explosive at times. Very tough 1 on 1 & that’s where you want him. Brings heavy, quick hands that stun OL’m underneath their pads. Push/Pull-Bull Snatch & Rush. Hump move. Sudden w/ good quicks off the line. Hits OL’m expecting power w/ Club & Slide. Can get skinny to shoot & knife through gaps. Cross face. Surprising flexibility & bend for a man that size. Will bend around/under G’s. Big Upside.
- Run Defense – At times does a good job of setting the edge, standing his ground inside & let his backers get the glory. Quicks, motor & strength will get him in the backfield for TFL. Will chase RB’s around & doen the line. Has the chase & pursuit of a LB. Tons of potential once the game slows down & he plays w/ proper technique.
- Motor – doesn’t stop. High energy player that doesn’t stop. Will make plays downfield, across the field. Wants to set the tone & fire the team up w/ a big play.
- Versatility – Offers a ton of scheme versatility. 34/43, Under/Over. As long as he’s attacking it doesn’t matter.
- Definition of disruption. Will look to swat down pass if he can’t get to the QB. Very good closing speed to finish. Good lateral movement to slide by OL’m. Huge upside.
Concerns
- Has to be more committed to having inside hands. Too often he gets moved out of plays w/ good technique trying to out muscle guys.
- Lack of Production
- Keep eyes & head moving.Gets too high after initial contact & loses the leverage game.
Summary
Bryan has drawn comparisons from J.J. Watt & Michael Bennett. Strange considering his lack of production but that’s not why you draft him. Your drafting Bryan because of his traits, versatility & motor. All are real. If he improves in a few areas he could be that pro bowl player. Today’s game is about one thing, match ups. Matching Bryan up against slower OL’man along the line is his game. You want to move him around & let him loose.
NFL Comp
Cross between Justin Smith & Michael Bennett.
Traits That Translate
Here are some clips that show off Bryan’s upside & versatility
This is fantastic from Bryan. Nice get off and quickly establishes inside hands with proper pad level. Quick stack/shed and finds the ball. Really nice play pic.twitter.com/LZ25xlDEer
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 31, 2018
I repeat backside 3Ts aren't supposed to make this play pic.twitter.com/WObNRm6xYV
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018
When Tavon Bryan plays with the proper technique against the run instead of bursting upfield with reckless abandon, he shows some freaky stuff.
Backside 3T don't typically sniff these plays pic.twitter.com/MEhMzgE1dh
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 4, 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
Like that Taven Bryan flashes a counter spin. Feels the leverage of the OL and spins into the open space. Nice pocket movement from the QB prevents the sack pic.twitter.com/MKTiVI0t7D
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018
mock draft 4/9 2 of 2 :
1st:Lorenzo Carter EDGE
1st:Isaiah Oliver CB
2nd:Tyrell Crosby OT
2nd: trade down for 3rd and 4th round picks
3rd:Daesean Hamilton WR
3rd:Kyzir White S
4th:Troy Fumagalli TE
6th:Logan Woodside QB
6th:Darrel Williams RB
7th: Jason Cabinda ILB
mock draft 4/9 1 of 2:
1st:Rashaan Evans ILB
1st:Kolton Miller OT
2nd:Mason Rudolph QB
2nd:Rasheem Green DE-DT
3rd:Skai Moore OLB -S
6th:Durham Smythe TE
7th:Richie James WR
pick up a RB as a UDFA.
1st:Leighton VanderEsch ILB-OLB
1st:Connor Williams OT
2nd:Harrison Phillips DT
2nd:Duke Ejiofor DE
3rd:Oren Burks ILB-S
6th:Logan Woodside QB
6th:Braxton Berrios WR
7th:Justin Jackson RB
I would like to see James Harrison brought back. Also, recent first round draft pick Michael Floyd is speedy and huge at the WR position. I believe he could be brought back in for a very small amount and could easily be better than almost every wideout we have if he would straighten up and commit to learning the Patriot system.
Another well done report. Not a fan of Bryan , would prefer Harrison Phillips.
Agree, in fact there are half dozen DL I like better.
To me, Taven is more athlete than football player right now. His explosiveness is undeniable, but he gets himself out of control and takes himself out of plays. He has to learn to play with some discipline. I still like him, but I think he will go higher than I rank him.
On the other hand, I am not a Phillips fan. From a production standpoint, it is hard to argue against him. When I watch the tape though, he gets moved off his spot a lot. I worry about him in run sets and I think he could really struggle anchoring in the NFL.
He is definitely my draft binkie as he would give the Dline flexibility, athleticism, and speed. He could be DE in 3-4 and switch to 4-3 DT. I really would like to see Pats to take him at 31 or even if we trade down from 31 into second round. My dram would be the Pats taking Evans at LB Bryan at DE/DT DJ Chark at WR Orlando Brown at OT (3rs round)
Went to school in FL id say pass on this guy.
this guy sounds very intriguing and fills a real need. I’ve seen projections he could be drafted as high as mid first round but mostly lower first into mid second or so. Certainly within our range.