If you watched JJ Taylor at all during training camp or in any of the three preseasons games and don’t think he deserves a spot on this team I’m not sure what to tell you.

Heart, toughness, speed, elusiveness, versatility. It’s all there.

The 5’6, 185 lb. back had 140 total yards on Sunday night in the Patriots 22-20 win over the Giants to close out the preseason 3-0. Taylor continued to show a remarkable ability to gain yards after contact despite his size and also showed off his quick burst, nearly breaking free for a punt return touchdown.

Taylor had 76 rushing yards, 28 punt return yards, a kickoff return for 23 yards and 13 receiving yards. We’ve always heard that Bill Belichick believes dependability is better than ability, but versatility might be his second favorite characteristic and Taylor has a crap load of it.

Taylor also had his case buoyed by another poor showing by Gunner Olzeweski on offense. Gunner may not be as safe a bet to make the roster as we initially thought, which also means Taylor could get more looks as a punt returner, especially if he nearly breaks one like he did Sunday night.

Following his impressive performance, Taylor remained humble as you’d expect.

“I feel like it was a decent day,” he said. “A lot of things to work on, a lot of things to improve and just getting better each day. That’s the plan.”

You’d think a guy like Taylor who put almost all positive things on film this summer wouldn’t be worried about making the team, but it’s a tough time for guys like him around the league because there’s still that stench of uncertainty. Taylor went through the exact same thing last season before becoming a Patriot, but nothing is guaranteed for guys at his position and of his stature.

“It’s still a stressful time,” he acknowledged. “I’ve just got to make the days count and stay strong in my faith and just leave it up to God at that point. It’s not my decision. I can only control what I can control.”

At one point, Taylor even added an impressive block while in pass protection on Sunday night, something that will surely make the coaching staff and Bill Belichick smile. As a smaller guy myself I can appreciate the attack mode mentality Taylor has to play with at all times.

“Either to hit or get hit, that’s the only mentality I have is give a blow or take a blow,” he said. “You choose what side you want to be on.”

If you’ve ever had an appreciation for guys like Kevin Faulk or Dion Lewis or James White, then it feels like JJ Taylor has the potential to be the next guy in that lineage and should be your guy as a fan. Taylor has chosen his side, the side of resilience and proving people wrong. Hopefully, the coaching staff brings him back to their side, he’s earned it.