2010 Draft Prospect Profile: USC Safety Taylor Mays

As I’ve stated many times, my projected first round pick for the Cowboys is Idaho guard Mike Iupati, however, that’s merely an opinion.  Someone once said to me “Opinions are like buttholes, everyone’s got one …

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As I’ve stated many times, my projected first round pick for the Cowboys is Idaho guard Mike Iupati, however, that’s merely an opinion.  Someone once said to me “Opinions are like buttholes, everyone’s got one and most of them stink.”  So another popular opinion among experts has the Dallas Cowboys taking Safety Taylor Mays of USC.  So I thought we’d start our series of Player Profiles here and analyze this pick.

Taylor Mays (6-3, 220, Safety-USC)

Why they take him: Mays is an extremely rangy safety.  He clocks a 4.45 40-yard dash and is an incredible physical specimen.  His play has showcased some terrific abilities from jumping to movement.  He has proven to be durable and have terrific work ethic while always keeping the team first which would match the new Cowboys locker room style to a tee.  His ability to play the run is also attractive.

Why they don’t: Mays is your typical Roy Williams cliché.  Despite his upside he has been inconsistent making questionable decisions and plays.  Often caught going for the big hit instead of the safe tackle, Mays can easily become a liability at the next level.  Many experts believe that he will have an issue playing man coverage with receivers due to his technique.

Final Word: Mays is a tremendous talent and may be hard to pass up.  However, he is just not what this team needs.  This team needs a safety that won’t be a liability in pass coverage and will be reliable when backs or receivers threaten that last line of defense.  Mays has many strengths but his weaknesses ruin Cowboys compatibility. If they do take him, I’d be surprised if the relationship lasted longer than his rookie contract.

11 thoughts on “2010 Draft Prospect Profile: USC Safety Taylor Mays”

  1. I have a hard time going near anyone who is compared to Roy Williams. It's not because Williams isn't that good, he was that good before his Horse Collar rule and while in a 4-3 defense. But the rule is place and Dallas still runs a 3-4 so I don't like the idea of Roy Willy type coming in.

    However, we do need some help at safety because Hamlin hasn't been getting it done. Jury is still out on Sensabaugh for me because he was playing most of the season with a cast on his hand. He did good considering but we need better without the cast.

  2. Please for the love of all things Cowboys', Stephen needs to make sure he steers the entire War Room away from Mays. The secondary took a step forward last season by getting rid of Roy and installing Sensabaugh. Selecting Mays would be like taking 3 steps back…A better fit I think would be Nate Allen or Morgan Burnett at FS and resigning Sensabaugh at SS…

  3. Earl Thomas is match made in heaven for the Cowboys. He is excellent in man-on-man coverage, as well as zone. He has fantastic balls skills, and can also come up and make stops in the running game. The Cowboys should trade up for Thomas. Mays is everything the Cowboys don't need in the secondary. An undisciplaned player that takes very poor angles to the ball, can't cover to save his life and always goes for the kill-shot, which results in a lot of penalties and big plays being made against. Cowboys go Thomas, if not Nate Allen.

  4. Somebody help ! There's an Elephant in the room and nobody talking about him ! I don't care who the Cowboys draft it doesn't matter as long as Jason Garrett is calling plays ! The Cowboys have had enough pieces for the past few seasons , to have made at least one Super Bowl trip . One of my friends asked me do you think Garrett is trying to sabotage Wade ? It sure looks like it !
    THINK ABOUT IT ! HUMM ! For real PLease Get Another PLay Caller ! Bye Bye Jason Garrett Please

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