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Redskins: A look at who may be the odd man out on the defensive line

By Jacob Camenker

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 10: Ziggy Hood #90 and Stacy McGee #92 of the Washington Redskin celebrate against the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter at FedExField on September 10, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Christian Ponder #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a tackle by Phillip Taylor #98 of the Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 22: Christian Ponder #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts to a tackle by Phillip Taylor #98 of the Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2013 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Phil Taylor

Phil Taylor is an interesting option on the Redskins roster. They re-signed him to a cheap, non-guaranteed deal after signing him as a free agent during the 2017 offseason. Taylor had looked good during the offseason workouts before he suffered a quad injury during the preseason. Taylor landed on Injured Reserve as a result, and he didn’t play a down.

This has been a familiar sight for Taylor for the past few seasons. Taylor hasn’t played a down in the NFL since 2014. And in that season, he only played in five games. Taylor has been plagued by injuries throughout his whole career, and it’s fair to wonder if he will ever be able to stay fully healthy again.

Further complicating the matter for Taylor is that he really only fits at the nose tackle position in the Redskins defense. He has a 6-foot-3, 343 pound frame and while he is an athletic player, it just wouldn’t be as good a fit at the end position. So, that could limit him to playing the nose tackle position.

At the same time, this could benefit Taylor. The Redskins could want to keep an extra nose tackle around, given the trouble they have had at the position since they switched to the 3-4 defense. And if they don’t think that Settle is ready for a primary backup role, Taylor could be the stopgap there.

Taylor has concerns. He is injury prone, but he has a lot of upside. Keeping him over McGee or Hood would be a major risk. But if the Redskins are confident in the young talent they have, it could be worth the investment. It will all depend on how well each player performs during the preseason.

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