Raiders' Trey Taylor has an advantage over all rookies, even as a seventh-round pick

The Las Vegas Raiders took a flier on Trey Taylor from Air Force in the seventh round. Despite the challenges he faced, his resilience and determination shone through. At Air Force, Taylor was a standout player, consistently demonstrating his skills and potential. When you look at his tape, it's hard to see why he was available in the seventh round. But a few things factor in why.

First, he went to a smaller school in Air Force, which means he didn't play against the elite talent that guys who play at Georgia, Alabama, and others play. Second, this draft saw a ton of safeties fall late when they were much better players than their draft position suggested. This could be due to a shift in team strategies or a focus on other positions. It's similar to a linebacker, as it's becoming a position that teams aren't valuing as much for some reason.

As we head into the 2024 season, it's clear that the Raiders may have found a gem in the seventh round. What sets Trey Taylor apart is his unique advantage over every rookie, except perhaps a few. His cousin is none other than Ed Reed, one of the greatest safeties to ever grace this game. This familial connection has undoubtedly shaped Taylor's playing career, and he was asked about Reed's influence after being drafted.

"Yeah, it was essential, especially being at the Academy. You don't have as many people in your life who have been in these scenarios or walked in these shoes, and so it's been nice to have somebody who gives me the best communication possible," Taylor said after he was drafted.

"He's [Ed Reed] given me a lot of clues, a lot of details, and things that I need going into this next chapter, in this next way of life, and I'm just happy to be here and happy to have him as somebody in my corner."

Taylor is a hard hitter like his cousin was. But he also has the instincts that you see from guys who are great in the league, and that's something that's hard to develop this far into your career.

Taylor will be behind Epps, Moehrig, and Chris Smith in starting his career. This means he will have the opportunity to learn from and compete with these more experienced players, which could significantly contribute to his growth and development. He looks to have all the talent in the world to potentially move into that backup safety spot, and with his determination and the guidance of his cousin, he could make a significant impact on the team.