Michael Taaffe

FS · Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs · 60 graded snaps

Replacement

Taaffe was a standout run defender and special-teamer, but a costly coverage penalty that negated a third-down sack anchored his overall grade at replacement level.

Michael Taaffe film grade: 67: share card

Coverage5940Run defense7612Special teams718

The full breakdown

Taaffe's grade was weighed down by a 58 mark in coverage across 40 snaps, primarily driven by a critical -2.0 penalty at Q2 14:14 where an illegal contact foul wiped out a drive-ending 10-yard sack on 3rd & 2. He also surrendered a 24-yard reception to Noah Gray at Q4 13:47 after vacating his intermediate zone. Conversely, he shone in run defense (76 grade) with quick downhill triggers, highlighted by stuffing Kenneth Walker III for no gain on 3rd & 1 at Q2 06:58. He also provided reliable kickoff coverage with a pair of positive open-field tackles at Q1 15:00 and Q3 10:10.

Strengths

Downhill run-support fits
Kickoff coverage tackling
Triggering on perimeter screens

Weaknesses

Costly downfield coverage penalties
Split-safety zone discipline

Plays that moved the grade

-2Q2 14:14, 3rd & 2Committed an illegal contact penalty downfield that negated a 10-yard third-down sack by J. Brooks.
+1.5Q2 06:58, 3rd & 1Shot through the interior A-gap downhill to stop Kenneth Walker III at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
+1Q1 00:14, 1st & 10Quickly diagnosed a perimeter swing pass, fought through traffic, and tackled Brashard Smith for a short 4-yard gain.

Every graded snap · 10 wins or losses, 50 routine

+1Q1 15:00 · Special teamsSheds his block on the coverage path, converges on the ball carrier, and assists in stopping Johnson at the 33-yard line.
+1Q1 00:14 · 1 & 10 · CoverageReads Mahomes' eyes immediately, triggers downhill, fights past perimeter traffic, and wraps up the ball carrier for a short gain.
+0.5Q2 15:00 · 2 & 6 · CoverageTriggers swiftly from his zone alignment to make the primary stop on Rice short of the first-down line.
-2Q2 14:14 · 3 & 2 · CoverageFlags for illegal contact downfield beyond five yards on the receiver, wiping out a drive-ending 10-yard sack on 3rd down.
+1.5Q2 06:58 · 3 & 1 · Run defenseReads the dive immediately, triggers downhill at full speed through the A-gap, and makes initial contact on Walker at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
+0.5Q2 03:10 · 1 & 10 · Run defenseTakes a good pursuit angle from deep alignment and hustles to push Walker out of bounds, preventing a breakaway touchdown.
+1Q3 10:10 · Special teamsSprints downfield, defeats traffic, and makes a crucial sideline tackle at the KC 36 to prevent a potential touchdown return.

Michael Taaffe's season grades →