NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Virginia RB J'Mari Taylor

J'Mari Taylor is a compactly built change-of-pace runner with adequate three-down talents.

He joined North Carolina Central as a 0-star recruit in the 2020 class. After four years in the HBCU program, Taylor was named Third and First-team MEAC before transferring to UVA.

Taylor is a productive running back with an NFL skill set. He moved up in competition and finished with the best season of his collegiate career. Amassing over 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Where He Wins

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- Three-down potential and skill set as a runner/receiver; effective on screens and routes run from the slot

- Excellent contact balance and run physicality; great in short-yard situations

- Generates yards-after-contact due to low center of gravity and speed-to-power conversion

- Elite ball protection in college; only two fumbles on 577 rush attempts

- Nose for the endzone; finds small spaces in the goal line situations

- Projects as a powerful change-of-pace runner with adequate starting upside in zone-centric run offense

Areas of Improvement

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- Limited lateral athleticism; jump cuts lack explosiveness and range

- Above-average open-field speed and acceleration, but lacks consistent separation from defenders

- Processing and progress slow down when forced to string together movements

- Lacks phone booth elusiveness versus hard-charging alley defenders

Grade, Rank, and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 5.9 (Backup/Draftable — 6th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Kimani Vidal (5.9 in 2024), Jawhar Jordan (5.9 in 2024), Tyrone Tracy (5.8 in 2024)

OVERALL RANK: 232

POSITION RANK: RB14

PRO COMPARISON: Sincere McCormick

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 5'10"
Weight: 199
Hand: 9"
Arm: 30"

40-Yard Dash: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 34.5"
Broad: 9'7"
Bench Press: 20