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How Big a Role Can Receiver Roc Taylor Play for the Commanders?

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NCAA Football: Memphis at Navy
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders

Roc Taylor, WR
School: Memphis | Conference: AAC
College Experience: Senior | Age: ?
Height / Weight: 6’2” / 213 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th Round-UDFA

Player Comparison: Jauan Jennings

College Statistics

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Season Team Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Y/R TD Y/G Att Yds Y/A TD Y/G Plays Yds Avg TD Awards
2021 Memphis American FR WR 7 8 117 14.6 0 16.7 0 0 0 0.0 8 117 14.6 0
2022* Memphis American SO WR 11 20 225 11.3 1 20.5 1 5 5.0 0 0.5 21 230 11.0 1
2023* Memphis American JR WR 13 69 1083 15.7 4 83.3 2 2 1.0 0 0.2 71 1085 15.3 4
2024* Memphis American SR WR 13 66 950 14.4 2 73.1 2 5 2.5 0 0.4 68 955 14.0 2
Career 44 163 2375 14.6 7 54.0 5 12 2.4 0 0.3 168 2387 14.2 7
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 4/4/2025.

Player Overview

Hailing from Oxford, Alabama, Roc Taylor was one of the more productive wide receivers in the state. His performance earned him a three-star prospect rating, drawing interest from a number of SEC schools: South Carolina, Florida, Auburn and Tennessee. Taylor committed to the Volunteers, but his commitment was pulled once a new coaching staff arrived in Knoxville. Memphis made a strong recruitment pitch and Taylor chose the Tigers. Although he saw the field as a freshman and sophomore, Taylor broke out his junior season. He topped 1,000 yards and helped the Tigers to double-digit wins, earning All-AAC honors along the way. In his final season, Taylor flirted with 1,000 yards again, coming just shy of the mark.

Strengths

  • Well-built frame for the position
  • Reads zone defenses well to find voids
  • Build-up speed helps him beat defenders deep
  • Makes contested catches with reliable hands
  • Excellent at tracking the ball
  • Exhibits body control to make adjustments to the ball

Weaknesses

  • Stiff hips evident when trying to change direction
  • Can struggle against press despite size
  • Lacks suddenness to create separation
  • Does not generate much YAC
  • Few trips to endzone (only seven TDs for his career)

Let’s See His Work

#Memphis WR Roc Taylor really caught my eye on Saturday at the #NFLCombine

I knew basically nothing about him but he really impressed me. No drops, just a model of consistency from start to finish. Ran good routes and never put the ball on the ground.

6’2 213 out of @MemphisFB

— Fran Duffy (@fduffy.bsky.social) 2025-03-02T16:58:13.350Z

Roc Taylor is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 7.91 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 722 out of 3445 WR from 1987 to 2025.

Pro day pending for remaining tests.

ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=27414&ovl=Memphis

— Kent Lee Platte (Mathbomb) (@mathbomb.bsky.social) 2025-03-11T23:38:44.132Z

How He Fits on the Commanders

Adam Peters has been busy reshaping the Commanders’ receiving corps this offseason. Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus are out, Deebo Samuel is in. K.J. Osborn and Noah Brown were re-signed, playing again with Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey. Outside of McCaffery, there isn’t much youth to develop.

Roc Taylor has been a solid, reliable performer at Memphis. He might not present a ton of upside, but he could be a productive depth receiver in an offense that prioritizes getting the ball out quickly. While he may not win as many deep routes or produce a lot after the catch, he can find openings in a defense quickly and makes tough catches look easy. Taylor can be depended upon to keep the chains moving as the team works methodically down the field. To reach his ceiling, he’ll have to be stronger and more physical against press coverage. He should play a similar role to Noah Brown in the offense, possibly succeeding him after the 2025 season ends.