2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Branson Taylor, OT, Pittsburgh

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Branson Taylor
School (Code)	University of Pittsburgh (PAPT)
DOB, Class Yr	2/13/2002, Redshirt Senior (2025)
Height, Weight	6050, 330 lbs.
40 Yd Dash	5.26e
Position/Depth	RT/LT
Honors/Captainship	None
Season Viewed (yr)	2023
Games Watched	Louisville, Wake Forest & West Virginia
Scout Name / Date	Justyce Gordon, 08-19-24

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	Started first 3 games at RT and final 8 games as LT
2022	Played in all 13 games & started 4 games at LT
2021	Played in 12 games. Served as reserved OT & played on PAT unit
2020	Appeared in final 3 games as a reserved OT

Player Summary:

Branson Taylor is a 5^th year senior at the University of Pittsburgh. After spending his first two seasons at Pitt serving as a reserve, Taylor has developed into a starting swing tackle and an important piece to the offensive line. He possesses elite height and frame for his position and looks the part of a franchise tackle. In pass pro, he plays with solid hand technique/placement vs both speed & power moves, and overall solid balance against bull rush. Has very good physical strength to defend bull rush and long arm attempts from opponents. He can move and relocate defenders as a run blocker on the interior, he is a mauler at the POA to seal lanes. Good technique and sustain ability on Gap concepts, excels on down/double team blocks to collapse defenders inside and open lanes on his outside shoulder. When he can get to the 2^nd level fast enough, he takes LB/DB’s out with ease because of his size and strength. Shows good ability to locate defenders at the 2^nd level and in space as well. Has good hip torque and overall, very good ability to finish opponents in space and between the tackles in the run game. Adequate initial quickness out of stance in pass pro and as a run blocker. Adequate foot speed and lateral agility as an athlete, struggles to mirror and get depth in kick slide vs defenders with a plus get off. Marginal footwork vs speed/double moves, footwork gets narrow when going against speed that results in him losing balance and defenders crossing his face. Displays adequate up field burst when climbing to the second level, allowing faster opponents extra seconds to react. Adequate ability to execute reach/scoop blocks on Zone concepts due to slow get off and limitations laterally. Adequate ability to pick up stunts/twists in pass pro, quicker opponents are often able to beat him to his spot and get to the quarterback.

Scheme Fit:

Run first, play action offense that features heavy gap concepts.

Power Statement:

Branson Taylor is a gigantic athlete for the tackle position who will garner a lot of attention because of his size. He is a mauler in the run game that can move bodies and open running lanes with his power. He needs to continue to develop and improve his technique as a pass and run blocker to reach his sizable potential that teams will be excited about. If he is able to do that he projects as a quality starter as a pro, if not, he will struggle to find consistency and likely be a depth player who bounces around from team to team.