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Getting to know the Steelers 2025 UDFAs: Roc Taylor

After the Pittsburgh Steelers selected seven players in the 2025 NFL draft, they continued adding to the roster by coming to terms with seven undrafted free agents. With many draft profiles focusing on those players towards the top and middle of the NFL draft, it is time to get to take a look at these other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers who will have just as much opportunity to make the roster in 2025 as those who were selected in the draft, despite the more difficult path.

Remember, some draft profiles for these players are quite harsh as they are looking at them as a draftable prospect. Taking a flyer on an UDFA is a completely different story as many times the potential the player shows is what lands them on an NFL offseason roster.

Next up is wide receiver Roc Taylor from Memphis.


Roc Taylor

Wide Receiver
Senior
Memphis
6’1″; 213 lbs.

Playing four seasons in Memphis, Roc Taylor appeared in 44 games where he had 163 receptions for 2375 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. His best season was in 2023 where he reached 1083 receiving yard yards on 69 receptions and four touchdowns. In his senior season of 2024, Taylor appeared in 13 games with 66 receptions for 950 yards and two touchdowns.


Current Steelers at the position:

Wide Receiver

  • DK Metcalf
  • George Pickens
  • Calvin Austin III
  • Roman Wilson
  • Ben Skowronek
  • Robert Woods
  • Scotty Miller
  • Brandon Johnson
  • Lance McCutcheon
  • Roc Taylor
  • Ke’Shawn Williams

Draft Profile

Here is a breakdown from nfldraftbuzz.com:

Draft Profile: Bio

The path to NFL prospect status rarely follows a straight line, and Roc Taylor’s trajectory exemplifies the value of patience and development. The Oxford, Alabama native turned heads on the high school circuit, putting up over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior before bringing his talents to Memphis. Standing 6’3″ and carrying a solid 215 pounds, Taylor spent his first two seasons learning the ropes of the collegiate game while flashing occasional glimpses of his potential.

Everything clicked for Taylor in 2023, as the big-bodied receiver transformed from rotational player to offensive centerpiece. His junior campaign showcased a receiver coming into his own, culminating in a 1,083-yard season that placed him among the program’s elite. The breakout performance earned him Second-Team All-AAC recognition and caught the attention of NFL scouts who recognized a diamond emerging from the Group of Five rough.

The momentum carried into his senior year, where Taylor proved his junior explosion was no fluke. While the raw numbers dipped slightly, his refined route-running and increased physicality demonstrated the continuing evolution of his game. The former three-star recruit had blossomed into the latest in a string of NFL-ready receivers to come through the Memphis program.

Scouting Report: Strengths

  • Punishes defensive backs with surgical footwork at the stem, creating consistent separation through masterful pacing and sudden breaks that belie his larger frame
  • Dominates in contested catch situations with vise-grip hands and expert positioning, particularly lethal on back-shoulder throws where he shields defenders masterfully
  • Brings thunder as a perimeter blocker, consistently driving smaller defensive backs off their spot and maintaining engagement through the whistle
  • Dangerous after the catch with surprising shake for his size, routinely breaks arm tackles and powers through contact for chunk yardage
  • Works the middle of the field like a seasoned veteran, finding soft spots against zone coverage and presenting a reliable target in traffic
  • Tactical route runner who sets up defenders with subtle head fakes and tempo changes, particularly effective on double moves and deep posts
  • Displays outstanding situational awareness, consistently working back to the quarterback and finding open space when plays break down
  • Commands respect in the red zone through expert timing and body positioning, turning 50-50 balls into 70-30 propositions in his favor

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

  • Initial burst off the line lacks explosion, allowing patient corners to maintain positioning and squeeze throwing windows early in routes
  • Top-end speed limitations show up on vertical routes, struggling to stack defenders consistently when trying to stretch the field
  • Route intensity fluctuates when working as a decoy, giving savvy defensive backs pre-snap reads on play direction
  • Change of direction skills can appear labored on quick-hitting patterns, limiting effectiveness in short-area concepts
  • Could expand release package against press coverage, currently relies too heavily on size advantage rather than technique

Scouting Report: Summary

Film study reveals a receiver whose game is built for Sunday success, particularly in systems that emphasize intermediate route concepts and play-action passing. Taylor’s ability to work all three levels of the field while bringing legitimate blocking chops makes him an intriguing option for teams seeking to bolster their 11-personnel packages.

His developmental arc suggests a player still ascending, with technical refinements consistently being added to an already impressive physical foundation. Smart offensive coordinators will appreciate Taylor’s ability to execute the full route tree while bringing the size and strength to create mismatches against smaller defensive backs. His testing numbers match the film, showing a receiver who can stress defenses vertically while excelling in the physical aspects of the position.

Look for Taylor to make an immediate impact as a complementary piece in a sophisticated passing attack, with the ceiling to develop into a reliable WR2/3 as his game continues to mature. His combination of size, hands, and route-running acumen projects particularly well to teams employing timing-based passing concepts that allow receivers to work between the numbers.


Film

To finish things off, let’s take a look at the film…

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