Washington Redskins reportedly re-sign nose tackle Phil Taylor

The comeback continues.

Former first-round nose tackle Phil Taylor all but disappeared from the headlines after his season-ending quad injury suffered in preseason last year. Gone from football for two years prior, the Washington’s Redskins gave Taylor a chance, and he was close to capitalizing on that opportunity.

In 2017, it wasn’t to be. But the Washington Redskins are reportedly giving him another chance. According to Kareem Copeland of the Washington Post, the Washington Redskins are bringing back Taylor on a one-year deal.

Taylor, 6-foot-3, 335, hasn’t played a regular season snap since 2014, but he undoubtedly has talent. He logged 4.0 sacks in his rookie season with the Cleveland Browns. Taylor functioned extremely well as an anchor in run defense, and he possessed the ability to rush the pass with his size and burst as well.

His rookie season would be his best, however. Injuries derailed his career from that point on, and by 2015, he was unemployed. The Denver Broncos brought him on in training camp, but a knee injury closed that window of opportunity. He would go jobless for two years before signing a futures contract with the Washington Redskins in early 2017.

Taylor didn’t play in 2017, but it’s important not to understate the potential he had, and the potential he still possesses. Set to turn 30 years old in just four days, Taylor won’t be doing a whole lot of developing. But if he can stay healthy, he has the talent to start, or at the very least, be a valuable piece of depth. Let’s not forget that Taylor was penciled in as the starter at nose tackle last year, and there was enthusiasm building around his performance, before his quad injury.

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The re-signing of Taylor is a low-risk, high-upside move for the Washington Redskins. Coming back after so much time away, Taylor likely won’t be the same caliber player he once was. But for a cheap price, he gives the Washington Redskins experience, depth, and ability on the middle of the line. This does not eliminate the need for a new nose tackle. But if the team is confident in Taylor’s ability to return, this move could affect needs and desires moving toward the NFL Draft.