Second and third-year NFL players ready to break out in 2019

#11 Taven Bryan

When I put together my first round mock draft ahead of the actual one in 2018, I had Bryan slotted in with the Falcons at 26 because I thought they were in the market for another defensive tackle and that kid was exactly what Dan Quinn always describes as “urgent football players”. However, Atlanta made another excellent decision by drafting wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who I was much higher on than most people and I don’t think they are looking back at this at all.

So far the former Florida Gator hasn’t really given them very much to second-guess either, as he recorded just one sack and three tackles for loss, being on the field for less than 30 percent of the Jaguars’ defensive snaps. With that being said, I think he is one of the guys who I could see make one of the biggest jumps heading into year two. Bryan has an elite get-off for a near 300-pounder and he flashed so much on tape when I evaluated him as a prospect.

I thought his ability to torque his body, slip through openings or go back-door on run-plays was J.J. Watt-esque. Obviously, the technique and understanding of blocking schemes was and still is nowhere near the one of a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but the physical components are all there. Bryan has two things you can’t teach – explosiveness off the snap and a non-stop motor. He has to learn how to play under more control and stay true to his technique, not spinning in the middle of traffic against the run or losing sight of what is going on in the backfield.

With Malik Jackson signing in Philadelphia, the second-year man is in line to take over at 3-tech for one of the most talented defenses in the league. PFF gave him a grade of 71.1, which would have put him top five among rookie interior D-linemen if they didn’t (falsely) categorize him as an edge defender. He could develop into a disruptive force by learning from some of the game’s best, such as Calais Campbell.