Cornerback's Kidneys Help Him Land With Fins
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins selected cornerback Jamar Taylor with the 54th pick in last weekend's draft. Taylor was considered one of the top corners available, but a medical red flag may end up benefiting both the Dolphins and Taylor long-term.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, Taylor was taking high blood pressure medication that was damaging his kidneys and anti-inflammatory medicines were making it worse. When Taylor went to the NFL Combine, doctors found his kidneys were working at just 42 percent, according to the Herald.
Taylor would have a biopsy and it turned out there was no pre-existing kidney condition. Doctors changed his blood pressure medication and told not to take anti-inflammatory meds, according to the Herald.
His kidneys were left with scar tissue, but doctors say he should see his kidney operating efficiency improve, according to the Herald.
Taylor was considered a first-round talent by many scouts and he could possibly step into a starting job in his rookie season. For a Dolphins team in desperate need of secondary help, the fact that Taylor will be healthy and his talent made the pick a no-brainer for general manager Jeff Ireland.
NFL.com described Taylor as a "physical and athletic cornerback…not afraid to get physical with receivers with very good straight-line speed. Works well in press-ball coverage…will stick his nose in the run game when he is able to set the edge."
NFL.com compared Taylor to Drayton Florence while CBSSports.com compared Taylor to Ronde Barber of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Taylor stands 5'11", weighs 192 pounds, and ran the 40-yard-dahs in 4.39 seconds while hoisting 225 pounds up 22 times.
Taylor's career highlights from Boise State University can be seen below.
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