It's officially NFL Draft week, and though multiple Longhorns are going to hear their name called, Michael Taaffe could be selected surprisingly high based on where he was projected early on in the pre-draft process.
He was initially projected to be a 5th-6th round selection a couple of months ago, but now he's trending in the 4th-5th round range. Honestly, seeing him fly off the board even before that wouldn't be surprising at all right now, based on how many teams actually need a true free safety and how much hype he's been getting since the NFL Combine.
Having said that, there are three teams that seem like perfect destinations for Taaffe this year:
Cleveland Browns
The Browns have a ton of needs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of them is undoubtedly at free safety. Cleveland's new DC Mike Rutenberg loves to utilize a a plethora of defensive backs in his scheme, and Taaffe is tailor-made for the centerfield role in that system.
If the Browns are looking to add a player who already has NFL-level smarts and processing skills, then Taaffe is most likely high on their safety big board for day three. Taaffe has the potential to be Cleveland's top rotational safety as a rookie if he lands in Northeast Ohio.
Miami Dolphins
Miami has been in need of talented defensive backs for 2+ years, especially at safety. As of right now, their projected starters are Lonnie Johnson Jr. and Dante Trader Jr., two players who've been fairly underwhelming so far in their careers, to say the least.
The Dolphins also have special teams-only level players behind them, and much like Cleveland, Taaffe would most likely be in line to see early playing time in Miami.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have been struggling pretty badly at safety over the past couple of seasons, and they'll undoubtedly be looking to add one or two players at that spot this weekend. Their projected starters for 2026 are probably "fine", but they lack playable depth at free safety.
If they plan on targeting a safety with picks No.89 or No.129, then Taaffe could be in play there. There's a chance that Taaffe could see time at either safety spot in Chicago's defense, as their DC Dennis Allen has been known to rotate different players at those spots as well.
Regardless of where Michael Taaffe ends up going in the 2026 NFL Draft, Longhorn Nation will be cheering him on for the entiery of his playing career.
Add us as a preferred source on Google