It’s way too early to write Jordan Taylor’s name in ink as the No. 3 wide receiver for the Vikings, but if organized team activities are any indication, he’s got a great shot to win the job.
Who the heck is Jordan Taylor?
He’s a 6-foot-5, 27-year-old with long blonde hair who was lined up opposite Adam Thielen while Stefon Diggs missed the first two days of OTAs this week (Tuesday and Wednesday. With Diggs back Thursday, he was expected to be moved down the depth chart, but perhaps no lower than No. 3.
Taylor missed the entire 2018 season recovering from bi-lateral hip surgeries, but he played in 26 games with the Broncos in 2016 and 2017, totaling 29 catches for 351 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s familiar with Minnesota’s offensive because of his time in Denver with Gary Kubiak, who is now an assistant head coach and offensive advisor for the Vikings.
So far, Taylor has gained respect and attention from starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“He’s a diamond in the rough. He’s got some stuff to him. Not only does he have some juice, but he’s been on the details,” Cousins said, via Vikings.com. “If a route calls for him to get to 14 yards, he gets to 14, he doesn’t get to 13. If it’s a double move, he runs a double move with the right technique. He gets to the right spot and catches the football when it’s a tough catch.”
Taylor is clearly in the mix to win the No. 3 job against the likes of Laquon Treadwell and rookies Dillon Mitchell and Olabisi Johson.
Additionally, if my two first names theory is correct, Taylor is virtually a can’t miss because his name is Jordan Taylor. Think about all the superstars in sports history with two first names:
- Michael Jordan
- Babe Ruth
- Hank Aaron
- LeBron James
- Tom Brady
- Kobe Bryant
- Tim Duncan
- Lisa Leslie
- Candace Parker
- Sidney Crosby
- Satchel Paige
- Frank Thomas
- Walter Payton
- Jim Marshall
- Cris Carter
- Tina Charles
- Patrick Roy
- Ed Reed
- Ray Lewis
- Lawrence Taylor
- Bill Russell
- Dwyane Wade
- Chris Paul
- Ray Allen
- Pete Rose
- Nolan Ryan
Jordan Taylor could be well be next, obviously.
