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Vikings 2017 draft prospect spotlight: Western Michigan OT Taylor Moton

By Jordan Reid

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) runs the ball during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Alec James (57) and Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive end Alec James (57) and Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Taylor Moton (72) in action in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Can this powerful offensive lineman help improve the attitude along the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive front?

Coming off one of the best seasons (13-1) in school history, Western Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Moton was one of the many bright spots. Projected first round receiver Corey Davis received most of the attention, but Moton continued to shine under the radar.

As the 2016 season went along, many scouts began to take notice of Moton. Power, strength, his anchor, and a nasty attitude is what makes him stand out. At 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, his massive body frame makes it seems as if he’s best suited as a guard.

Arguable, but not totally the case. He has experience at both right guard and right tackle, which helps his draft stock because he has shown on film that he has had success playing both positions.

Moton’s best trait is his overbearing power. Once he latches on to defenders, they rarely get away from him. He has that nasty attitude that teams crave for an offensive lineman to have. He regularly tries to finish defenders by putting them on the ground.

Despite his large frame, he has above average hips, which are hard to find in lineman that are north of 310 pounds. Many defenders try various moves on Moton, but he is seldomly beaten cleanly.

Where Moton must improve is his footwork. Being that he is so powerful, he relies a lot on his upper body strength, and his feet completely stop moving on occasions. That is a technique that he can get away with in college due to Moton being stronger than a lot of defenders he faces, but in the NFL he will quickly be exposed if he continues to use it.

At the Senior Bowl, he was everything as advertised. Moton repeatedly showed his power, average feet, and terrific hand placement. He helped his draft stock tremendously in Mobile.

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