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SAFDay 2#19 DB · 2026 class★ R5 · #158
Michael Taaffe
Texas5'11 7/8"·190 lb
Hybrid Star Nickel
ATH
58
DOM
80
draft score69
rank#107
Projected
Round 3-4
Drafted · Round 5 · Pick 158 · 158th overall
Now on the Dolphins.
Taaffe suits up at /p/michael-taaffe
Scouting report · The One Analytics
Day 2Projected · Round 3-4Hybrid Star Nickel
Michael Taaffe projects as a hybrid star nickel. A SAF out of Texas who tested with a starter-caliber athletic profile (58th composite). Combine line reads 5'11 7/8" · 190 lb, 4.50s 40. College defensive line: 221 tackles · 3 sacks · 7 INT · 14 PD across 4 seasons. Dominance score 80 (overproduced the cohort when adjusted for age of production).
80A-
Dominance score · college production
Above-average producer
Blends 35% age-weighted career volume, 40% peak single-season production, 15% breakout, and 10% position-specific efficiency.
67pct
Above avg
Career volume
35% wtage-weighted
90pct
Elite
Peak season
40% wt2024
81pct
Strong
Breakout
15% wtearly-career + jump year
57pct
Average
Efficiency
10% wtPlays/G · 0.44
Scouting Combine · 2026
Combine percentiles
Y · PERCENTILE vs SAF CLASS · 2000–2026 baseline
15
Athletic composite
15thPOOR
3 of 3 metrics graded
2× Solid1× Replacement
40-Yard
4.50s·58th of 659
Arm
29.3″·1st of 229
Hand
9.4″·60th of 229
Not testedVerticalBroad3-ConeShuttleBench
4.50s58thSOLID
i
40-Yard
vs. 659
29.31stREPLACEMENT
Arm
vs. 229
9.460thSOLID
i
Hand
vs. 229
Not testedVerticalBroad3-ConeShuttleBench
Trait grades
6 dimensions evaluated
B
Speed
58th percentile · 4.50s 40-yard
N/A
Burst
No combine number on file — no vert · no broad
N/A
Lateral Agility
No combine number on file — no 3-cone · no shuttle
N/A
Vertical Pop
No combine number on file — no vertical jump on file
C
Frame
13th percentile · 5'11 7/8" · 190 lb
N/A
Power
No combine number on file — no bench on file
NFL comparisons
Top 3 historical · similarity-ranked
Closest distance · 0.48
PB
- #1
Malachi Moore
Rotational2025 R4 · #130 · Alabama · 5-11/196lb
76
sim
- #2
Andrew Mukuba
Unknown2025 R2 · #64 · Texas · 5-11/186lb · 4.45s 40
76
sim
- #3
Budda Baker
Multi All-Pro2017 R2 · #36 · Washington · 5-10/195lb · 4.45s 40
62
sim
X-Factor
Speed grades in the 58th percentile. 4.50s 40-yard.
Primary risk
Frame sits in the 13th percentile (5'11 7/8"). That's the headline weakness scouts will key on.
Scheme fit
Modern positionless defense — star/nickel role covering slots + blitzing off the edge.
College career · ESPN
Career stats
| Season | Team | TOT | SOLO | AST | PD | SACK | FF | INT | YDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | TEX | 25 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | TEX | 48 | 28 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 45 | 0 |
| 2024 | TEX | 78 | 40 | 38 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | TEX | 70 | 38 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 221 | 119 | 102 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 54 | 0 | |
Generated by deterministic-v30 · Jul 21, 2026Workout · Combine
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