Browns: Top 5 defensive line targets in the 2018 NFL Draft
5. Taven Bryan, Florida
Florida’s Taven Bryan has drawn J.J. Watt comparisons as a defensive tackle. Really, you could end that description there. But perhaps we should dive a little bit deeper into Bryan and what makes him a special prospect.
Coming out of Florida, Bryan has played and succeeded against SEC-level competition and offensive lines. In 2017, he racked up four sacks, six tackles for loss, and 37 total tackles in 10 games.
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Bryan stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 295 pounds, a physically dominant figure on the defensive line. However, he is a bit inconsistent in his play. Nevertheless, Bryan is an incredibly gifted physical talent, and plays with quickness and athleticism of a defensive end.
One complaint about Bryan is that he had a late start to his football career, which has led to slower instincts than other defenders in the class. His physical talent is incredible, but it might take a while for Bryan to “get it” mentally.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein says this of Bryan when describing his weaknesses:
"“Bryan’s lack of production is due to a lack of instincts and feel for the position and he’s still in a developmental phase as a prospect.”"
So, is he really J.J. Watt? Well, that remains to be seen. Both are elite physical talents, similarly sized, and although they play different positions, the possess similar traits.
For example, both of them are physically dominant defensive linemen, with explosive ability and toughness. Both are hard-nosed linemen who are willing to fight through anything, play hard, and give it all they have.