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Taylor

Taylor may have reminded coach Bruce Arians of Vick Ballard, who was Arians’ feature back for a year in Indianapolis. He is a sub-average talent with pass-protection skills and a workmanlike on-field play style. Taylor enters a crowded Arizona backfield competing for snaps with more talented options Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams, and fellow rookie Andre Ellington.

No surprise. Mendenhall’s previous relationship with Bruce Arians from their Steelers days coupled with his first-round skill set makes him the logical leader. Ryan Williams needs to prove his health and rookies Stepfan Taylor/Andre Ellington will try to make up ground in training camp. There’s some sleeper appeal in Mendenhall, who is now roughly 17 months removed from his ACL tear.

During OTAs and minicamp, Mendenhall ran as the clear feature back. Arians appears to have zero interest in giving Ryan Williams, Stepfan Taylor or Andre Ellington a legit chance to compete. “He took me personally to a Super Bowl, and I know what he can bring to the table as a runner and a pass protector and also a receiver,” Arians said of his former first-round pick in Pittsburgh. “He’s an every-down player. And I think he’s looking forward to having an outstanding season.”

Rashard Mendenhall may be the slight favorite as he had his best years under Arians in Pittsburgh and will be roughly 20 months removed from his ACL tear when Week 1 rolls around. But Ryan Williams, Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington will all be in the mix as well. “You really can’t tell until the lights come on,” Arians said. “Some were different from this morning’s walkthrough to the afternoon practice. Until you turn the lights on, you really don’t know about them.”

Taylor will be the only Cardinal on the entire roster not in attendance Tuesday. It’s not his fault, but it’s also not the best way to kick off a career. Taylor projects to eventually be part of a tight battle for snaps with Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams and Andre Ellington.

“Being the running back with us the primary thing (Taylor) has to know is his protections,” Mitchell said. “His running skills and his ability to catch all of those things are natural as (a) running back.” Taylor, who graduated last week, will vie to make the club as a reserve. With starter Rashard Mendenhall and third-year pro Ryan Williams each having recent injury issues, the rookie from Stanford might be worth monitoring during training camp.

Essentially a smaller version of Vick Ballard, Taylor lacks ideal short-area acceleration and big-play ability, but can handle the load and operate in the passing game. We suspect he’ll be a fourth- or fifth-round draft pick.

A poor man’s Vick Ballard, Taylor is short on athleticism and these times at 5-foot-9, 214 are going to hurt him. He’s probably a late-round prospect.

The Cowboys need a guard and Cooper is one of the best two in the draft, along with Alabama’s Chance Warmack. Pauline also passes along word that the Cowboys are “looking at” Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor as a potential third-round selection. Dallas holds the 18th overall pick, and it remains to be seen whether Cooper will last that long. Taylor should definitely be available in round three.

Taylor (5-foot-9 1/8, 214) succeeded Toby Gerhart as Stanford’s bellcow back, rushing for 3,997 yards and 38 touchdowns on 787 carries (5.08 YPC) over the past three seasons. He made 97 career receptions. Despite great stats, Taylor is a poor man’s Vick Ballard with pass-blocking chops but below-average run talent. He runs with a frenetic, choppy style, left too many yards on the field in college, and generally only gets what’s blocked. Taylor’s fullbackish 4.76 forty at the Combine ranked 27th-of-33 backs. His 1.64 ten-yard split was 26th. Taylor has the tape of a late-round pick and measurables of an undrafted free agent. He’s a poor bet to beat out Rashard Mendenhall or Ryan Williams for snaps.