Patrick Taylor Bio
Patrick O’Neal Taylor Jr. (born April 29, 1998) is an American professional football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Memphis Tigers from 2016 to 2019, where he built a productive resume as a rusher. Taylor went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft but signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent and has since played across multiple organizations. Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and listed around 217 lb (98 kg), he brings a compact, physical build to the running back position.
Early Life and Background
Patrick O’Neal Taylor Jr. was born on April 29, 1998, in Humble, Texas. He grew up in the greater Houston area and attended Atascocita High School in Harris County, Texas, where he developed as a running back before moving on to the college level. His time in the Houston area helped shape his early football foundation and prepared him for the next step in his career.
Coming out of Atascocita, Taylor was a productive high school rusher whose senior performances drew attention from college programs. He chose the University of Memphis, joining a Memphis Tigers program that was on the rise in the American Athletic Conference. His selection of Memphis gave him the chance to play a significant role in a run-heavy offense and showcase his abilities as a between-the-tackles runner.
Path to American Football
At the University of Memphis, Taylor quickly carved out a role as a workhorse back. As a true freshman, he served as the Tigers’ second-leading rusher with 546 yards on 93 carries and two touchdowns. The following season, he repeated as Memphis’ second-leading rusher, totaling 866 rushing yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns on 157 carries while also contributing 19 receptions for 148 yards and one touchdown.
As a junior, Taylor elevated his production further, rushing for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns and establishing himself as one of the program’s featured offensive weapons. A foot injury limited him during his senior campaign, and he finished that year with 350 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a shortened season. Despite his strong college résumé, Taylor went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.
Patrick Taylor Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Taylor signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2020, his 22nd birthday. He began his rookie year on the active/non-football injury list at the start of training camp and later moved to the reserve/non-football injury list before the regular season. Taylor returned to practice in December 2020, though the Packers did not activate him before the close of his practice window.
In 2021, Taylor was released as part of final roster cuts but was quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on November 4, 2021, and went on to score his first career touchdown in a Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions. The season gave Taylor his first sustained exposure to NFL game action and confirmed his role as a short-yardage and goal-line option.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Taylor’s second full year in Green Bay was a constant rotation between the practice squad and the active roster. He was waived in late August 2022, signed back to the practice squad, and elevated multiple times during the regular season. He was released and re-signed in November 2022, finishing the year on the active roster after a series of moves that highlighted his value as a depth back.
In 2023, Taylor again shuttled between the practice squad and the active roster before being released in late August. The New England Patriots signed him to their practice squad on October 18, 2023. The Packers brought him back on November 20, 2023, signing him off the Patriots’ practice squad to resume his role as a depth running back.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–Present)
On April 8, 2024, Taylor signed with the San Francisco 49ers, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was waived on November 8, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted back to the active roster on December 4, 2024. In Week 16 of the 2024 season, Taylor made his first career NFL start against the Miami Dolphins, carrying the ball eight times for 24 yards.
Taylor re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year contract on March 21, 2025, cementing his place on the roster heading into the new season. He was placed on injured reserve on August 19, 2025, as the team prepared for the regular season. On March 24, 2026, he re-signed with the 49ers on another one-year contract, continuing his role within the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
At 6 ft 2 in and around 217 lb, Taylor plays with the frame of a between-the-tackles power back who can also contribute as a short-yardage and goal-line option. His college production at Memphis showed a runner capable of handling heavy workloads, with multiple seasons of double-digit touchdowns. He has built his professional résumé on special teams contributions, short-yardage carries, and reliable depth play for offenses that value physical runners.
Notable Events and Milestones
Taylor’s first career NFL touchdown came in Week 18 of the 2021 season against the Detroit Lions while with the Green Bay Packers. He made his first career NFL start in Week 16 of the 2024 season against the Miami Dolphins as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, carrying the ball eight times for 24 yards. Across his career, he has regularly moved between practice squads and active rosters, a path that reflects persistence and roster reliability.
Patrick Taylor Career Wins
Patrick Taylor has not been publicly documented as a winner of major individual NFL awards or championships through the 2025 season. His on-field milestones have instead centered on roster accomplishments, including his first career touchdown and his first career NFL start. Career NFL statistics through 2025 list 444 rushing yards on a 4.3 average with 2 rushing touchdowns, 17 receptions, and 94 receiving yards.
NFL Regular Season Highlights
Taylor’s most notable regular-season moment came in Week 18 of the 2021 season, when he scored his first career touchdown against the Detroit Lions. He added another career milestone in Week 16 of the 2024 season, when he made his first career start against the Miami Dolphins. Across his stints with the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers, he has served as a dependable depth back and core special teams contributor.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the NFL, Taylor was a productive college rusher at Memphis, topping 1,000 rushing yards as a junior with 16 touchdowns. While his professional résumé does not list championship wins, his consistency in earning practice squad promotions and active-roster opportunities reflects sustained performance at the highest level of the sport.
| Team | Years | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | 2020–2023 | — | — | — |
| New England Patriots | 2023 | — | — | — |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2024–present | — | — | — |
Patrick Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available biographical sources for Patrick O’Neal Taylor Jr. do not document a detailed family lineage or a multi-generation football background. He grew up in the Humble, Texas area and attended Atascocita High School, where he developed as a running back before his collegiate career at Memphis.
Personal Life
Sources reviewed for this page do not provide verified public details about a spouse, children, or marital status for Patrick O’Neal Taylor Jr. He is listed as residing in the United States, with no further public residence details confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Taylor’s 2025 season storyline centers on his continued role with the San Francisco 49ers after re-signing on a one-year contract in March 2025. He was placed on injured reserve on August 19, 2025, ahead of the regular season, which limited his early-season availability. The 49ers’ use of the running back room throughout the year shaped how Taylor fit into the offensive and special teams plans.
As a depth back and special teams contributor, Taylor’s impact in 2025 came through his reliability rather than headline rushing totals. His first career start in Week 16 of the 2024 season established him as a trusted option when called upon, a role he carried into 2025. On March 24, 2026, Taylor re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year contract, underscoring the organization’s continued confidence in his services.
Looking ahead, Taylor is positioned to compete for a roster spot in the 49ers’ running back rotation while contributing on special teams. His combination of size, physicality, and familiarity with the team’s scheme makes him a fit for short-yardage and situational offensive roles. Sustained health after the 2025 injured-reserve stint will be a key factor in his opportunities in the seasons to come.
