One of the bigger risers in the 2008 draft class, Taylor is cashing in on his excellent senior campaign. He was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2007 with 59 tackles, 16 for loss, 10 ½ sacks and three forced fumbles. He'll likely need to transition to linebacker (where he played as a freshman at UNC) at the next level, but a team will give him that chance as a late-round pick or priority free agent.

Positives: Good strength and relentlessness playing with his hand down … Will spin inside or outside to get past his man … Gives second effort to get to the quarterback and will chase down the line … Runs with tight ends down the seam … Should be strong enough to handle tight ends on the line as a SAM linebacker … Uses his length and strong hands to keep blocks off him.

Negatives: Will need time to transition from defensive end to linebacker … Hesitates when one-on-one in space … Plays stiff and a bit high, making it difficult for him to quickly plant and drive or change directions … Only adequate explosiveness off the edge at defensive end, and does not have the size to overpower tackles will bull rushes.

Ranked among the top 25 players in North Carolina by The Charlotte Observer … Ranked the No. 14 senior in North Carolina by SuperPrep … Member of North Carolina's Shrine Bowl Team … Had a great senior season with 128 tackles and 17 tackles for losses … Had 91 tackles and five sacks as a junior, his first season on varsity … Coached by Mark Barnes.

Son of Hilee and Grace Taylor … Born Hilee Delano Taylor on July 18, 1986 … Enjoys playing basketball … Pretended to be Jim Brown, Jason Taylor and Lawrence Taylor as a kid … Would like to switch places for a day with Julius Peppers … Says the best word to describe him is "unselfish" … Majoring in sociology.