Malik Taylor isn’t making it easy for the Green Bay Packers to decide who the team should keep at wide receiver. And honestly, it’s a good problem to have.
Taylor snuck onto the 2020 roster because he was one of the only wide receivers capable of playing special teams. A year later, and Taylor is still a threat to make the final 53, but it’s not just because of his value as a specialist.
On Saturday against the New York Jets, Taylor was the leading receiver for Green Bay as he finished with four receptions for 66 yards. The 2019 undrafted free agent is now up to nine catches for 116 yards through two preseason games. To some, that’s not a whole lot. But for a guy battling for a roster spot in a crowded position group, it could be just enough.
If Taylor can prove to be valuable not only to the Packers’ special teams but potentially to their offense, it will be hard to turn him away at the final roster cut on August 31.
To get a better idea of what type of impact Taylor can have as a pass-catcher, let’s take a quick look at his four catches against the Jets.
The type of awareness that will get #Packers WR Malik Taylor a spot on the roster. Gets his eyes on the quarterback as he works across the field. Taylor can definitely make this same play with Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/FaoS7cxmQO
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 23, 2021
Taylor’s first catch was one of the best plays Green Bay has had all preseason. On second down, he made a toe dragging grab near the sideline for a 23-yard gain. The play was originally ruled incomplete, but after further review, Taylor did get two feet down.
Taylor is in a reduced split, giving him less field to work with on a dig route. The Jets are in zone and basically have everything covered. Kurt Benkert has to escape the pocket to buy time, and Taylor recognizes this as he crosses midfield. Good mental processing enables Taylor to work in conjunction with Benkert toward the sideline. Taylor also showed great awareness to work back toward the ball and get both of his feet inbounds.
This was an awesome play that is especially useful when playing with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who thrives when the play breaks down.
Impressive route by Taylor going up against a physical corner in Bryce Hall. Uses his hand to fight off the jam and then has awesome timing to break off the hitch. pic.twitter.com/S0nbVPucoS
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 24, 2021
Here Taylor is matched up on a physical corner in Bryce Hall. Hall gets both hands into Taylor’s chest to try and disrupt his route. However, Taylor uses his competitive toughness and play strength to fight off of the jam and continue to sell the vertical stem. This play showcases Taylor’s acceleration before stopping on a dime to create enough separation for a first down reception. Great timing on a good route.
Really nice ball skills by Taylor pic.twitter.com/biEJdjqOJ1
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 24, 2021
It’s man to man, and New York’s corners are up on the line of scrimmage because it’s 3rd and 5. This is just a simple fade route by Taylor. It was a nice catch but an even better throw by Benkert, who basically hangs a 50-50 ball in the air to hopefully move the chains. Good ball skills by Taylor to highpoint this ball and good awareness to know where he is on the sideline to get both feet down.
Love the competitive toughness Malik Taylor shows week in and week out. Not discouraged by physical corners and more than capable of making contested catches. pic.twitter.com/4Ldiy1mqUZ
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) August 24, 2021
Taylor goes for a quick outside release against another physical corner. The corner gets his hands into Taylor, but again, it doesn’t do enough to disrupt the route. It’s a quick hitch for Taylor, who has to work back toward the ball just a tad. He created just enough separation to make a nice contested catch on 3rd and 8.
There’s only one preseason game left to go, but Taylor is building on a nice summer at receiver that could continue into the regular season.
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