Phil Taylor: The Washington Redskins Forgotten Man

The Redskins run defense functioned poorly last season. The lack of an effective 3-4 nose tackle was one reason for this. While the Redskins have made no high-profile signings to address this position, Phil Taylor, an unheralded player signed in early January could be the answer.

The Redskins signed nose tackle Phil Taylor before the furor of free agency. Consequently, it’s easy to see why he’s flown under the radar thus far. However, with Taylor, there is plenty to be excited about. He offers a chance at a long-term solution at nose tackle, and if he doesn’t pan out, Washington risks nothing.

Taylor may be the forgotten man now, but when he was just entering the league, there was plenty of buzz around the Baylor star. Taylor was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 21st pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he performed extremely well, starting all 16 games as he recorded 37 tackles and 4 sacks.

Back then, Taylor’s career was on the right track. But since then, multiple injuries have knocked him off course. He was released by the Browns after spending his fourth season on injured reserve. The Broncos signed him before the start of the following season. He suffered another injury, cutting short his season for a second time. The Broncos released him before preseason in 2016.

It appeared Taylor might be on his way out of the league, but the Redskins snagged him, giving him one more opportunity to regain his former glory. With the relative lack of nose tackles in the draft, Taylor could see substantial action on the field this upcoming season.

Is he up for the task? Taylor was dominant early in his career, but his recurring injuries could have a lasting impact. It’s a storyline that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.

Next: Washington Redskins Mid-April Mock Draft

Will the former first-round pick be forgotten no more as a member of the Redskins? We’ll see come September.