From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Texas S Michael Taaffe.
No. 16 Michael Taaffe/S Texas – 6-0, 189 pounds (Senior)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Michael Taaffe 6-0/189 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
THE GOOD
– Good frame with muscle, looks bigger than listed weight
– Aggressive and closes downhill with authority
– Fills alley and seeks to stop run
– Effective open field tackler to prevent good runs from becoming great runs, does nice job coming to balance
– Trusted to play in space as post safety but versatile to play all over
– Shows speed and range in deep zone coverage
– Generally takes good angles to the ball
– Confidently takes on pullers
– Capable blitzer with good snap timing
– Good career ball production plus special teams value and background
– Leader and tone-setter, regarded as glue guy on the team
The Bad
– Technique as tackle can wane, will go for big hit and slide off, and missed tackles spiked after 2025 thumb injury
– Prone to getting looked off and moved by quarterbacks as post safety
– Gets aggressive in man-to-man and doesn’t look comfortable
– Good but not great athlete with testing unlikely to wow
– Production fell off in final season
Stats
– Career: 222 tackles (9.5 TFL), 7 INTs, 3 sacks, 1 FF across 53 games
– 2025: 70 tackles (1 TFL), 1 sack, 0 INTs, 0 FFs in 10 games
– Set single-season highs in 2024 in tackles (78), tackles for loss (5.5), sacks (2), interceptions (2), and forced fumbles (1)
– 2,069 career snaps (1,344 FS, 390 box, 299 slot)
– 2025 snaps: 370 free safety, 132 box, 88 slot
– 845 career special teams snaps, including 312 during 2023 season; has handful of snaps as personal protector on punt team
– PFF: No. 5 defensive grade among safeties (No. 7 in coverage, No. 112 run defense)
– Had 9.3 percent missed tackle rate in 2025 (35th best), improving from 21.3 percent in 2024
– Allowed five career TDs with seven INTs
– Six career penalties, just one in 2025
– Senior season of HS: 60 tackles, 5 INTs, three touchdown catches, and averaged 18.7 yards on 19 punts
Injury History
– 2024: Had surgery in May on left hand/wrist
– 2025: Broke thumb against Kentucky, underwent surgery, and missed next two games (praised for his leadership while sidelined)
Bio
– Just turned 24 in February, 2026
– Zero-star recruit from Austin, Texas
– Walked onto Texas over FCS offers from Brown and Colgate and Rice; initially committed to Owls, fifth-generation Longhorn and wanted to play for school
– Initially received preferred walk-on, earned scholarship late in 2022
– Nickname is “Mookie”
– High school teammates with Clemson QB Cade Klubnik at Westlake HS, catching passes from him as a receiver
– Went viral for high school playoff INT against future Texas QB Quinn Ewers, finished game with two picks against him
– Twice named defensive MVP of Westlake’s state titles, once as corner and again at safety
– High school coach called him “our Travis Hunter” for his versatility
– Hosted Arch Manning during Manning’s visit to Texas, andthe two became good friends before Manning committed
– Steve Sarkisian called him “extremely smart,” “tough,” and “great teammate”
– Second-team All-American in 2024; second-team All-SEC in 2025 (first-team by coaches)
– 2024 runner-up for Burlsworth Trophy for NCAA’s top former walk-on
– Part of Texas’ leadership council and teammates regard him as focused leader keeping everyone else in line
– Grandfather was All-American swimmer at Texas in the late 50s
– Family is close to Sam Ehlinger and his family
– Lost two best friends in 2021, one to a car accident and another to a drug overdose
– 2026 Senior Bowl participant
Tape Breakdown
Westlake’s Michael Taaffe is one of the draft’s best stories. A Texas walk-on to follow four generations before him, Taaffe initially became known for recruiting and helping land QB Arch Manning to Texas. But he left the school offering so much more. His 2024 season was outstanding, and he finished his career as a starter and fan favorite.
Hitting a growth spurt late in high school, Taaffe looks the part and has a good build. He matches that with downhill aggression, willing and able to fill the alley. In the open field, he comes to balance and makes stops.
Primarily a free safety, he displays good speed and angles to the football. Watch him match this deep crosser.
Negatively, he can play a little out of control and fall off tackles, going for the big hit. Taaffe’s missed-tackle rate rose in part due to midseason thumb surgery in 2025, but the clips below are from 2024.
He’s best in zone and struggles more in pure man coverage situations. He’s a safety through and through.
Conclusion
Overall, Michael Taaffe is easy to root for but far from a charity case. His tape is solid. He can play free or strong safety, though he works best in zone and not man schemes. In a sense, he reminds me of Hunter Woehler last year, but Taaffe is more athletic.
He brings a high level of special teams value and could be an ace with a ceiling carrying a defensive role. My NFL comp is Andrew Wingard.
NFL Projection: Early-Mid Day Three
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.5 ST (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.8-8.0
Games Watched: vs Florida (2024), at Michigan (2024), vs Oklahoma (2025), at Ohio State (2025)
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