FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Michael Taaffe
Michael Taaffe (DB – Texas)
6-foot-0 | 189 Pounds
Background
Michael Taffee is a high school receiver/cornerback out of Westlake High School who walked on at Texas, redshirting in 2021 and then rotating onto the field the following year, with 26 tackles and a breakup on the season.
Eventually earned the starting job midway through the 2023 season (nine starts), finishing with 48 tackles, two breakups and three interceptions. Reprised that role in 2024 and had his best season (78-5.5-2.0, 10 breakups, two interceptions). Posted another 70 tackles, one breakup and two interceptions in 2025.
Positives
Worked his way up from a walk-on to a start nearly three seasons’ worth of games for the Longhorns. Tall with long arms. Background as a cornerback is evident from his technique. Shows very good balance and clean footwork in his backpedal.
Processes route combinations well and shows impressive instincts/anticipation to diagnose from high zones. Makes clean transitions from backpedaling to driving on spots, with a solid closing burst. Was asked to bail from two-high pre-snap looks into single-high coverage and looks fast as a spot-dropper.
Taaffe can rotate down over opposing slot receivers and pattern-match from off-coverage, with very good route recognition skills and patience to stick with his man through the stem. Delivers some good hits to jar throws loose when targeted. Length and technique allow him to make plays on throws when targeted.
Shows some physicality and aggression to attack blocks in run support. Significantly improved as a tackler this past year. Played on all four special teams units at Texas. Can gun on punt coverage, with a blocked punt to his name as well.
Negatives
Built a little bit more like a cornerback, and might be asked to add some additional bulk at the next level. A good athlete, but doesn’t have the most explosiveness or burst, relying more on his technique and recognition skills. More effective working in coverage than dropping down into the box and working through traffic in run support, as he lacks ideal functional strength.
Significantly improved as a tackler, but had some issues there in previous seasons. Doesn’t have the most stopping power. Quick trigger can sometimes pull him up early when dealing with play-action/misdirection. Looks comfortable working against receivers, but may struggle to cover opposing tight ends in man coverage.
Summary
A very impressive free safety who shows excellent technique, processing and anticipation in coverage, whether he’s working as a high safety or shading over an opposing slot receiver. Has additional value as a potential core special-teams player/gunner.
While he’s not the most powerful safety in the class, Taaffe was able to improve his reliability as a tackler in 2025. Has the frame to handle additional bulk. Looks like a nice value on the second day of the draft.
Projection: Round 3
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