Sam Taylor is a graduate of the NAB AFL Academy and was selected at pick 28 in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft. He is a tall defender who is strong overhead and very composed when under pressure. He uses the ball well when setting up play from defence and is team-oriented. Hailing from WA, he is the third of seven children. The quietly-spoken key defender impressed in his first season, earning a Rising Star nomination in his sixth game.​ In just his second year of AFL footy, Sam Taylor established himself in the GIANTS' defence, playing 22 of a possible 26 games.