The Browns have exercised their fifth-year option on defensive tackle Phil Taylor, reports Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter). The move ensures that Taylor will remain under contract with the club through the 2015 season.
As our fifth-year option tracker shows, Taylor’s 2015 option is one of the least expensive of the bunch, at just $5.477MM. Still, it was no sure thing that the Browns would pick it up, considering there were questions about whether the team’s new head coach (Mike Pettine) and defensive coordinator (Jim O’Neal) would see the 26-year-old as an ideal fit. Taylor also hasn’t had quite the same impact as some of his fellow 2011 first-rounders.
In 2013, Taylor was a starter on defense for Cleveland, but only played 555 defensive snaps, serving primarily as a run stopper. While he wasn’t a full-time player, Taylor’s performance against the run still placed him a solid 26th among 69 qualified defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required).
With Taylor’s option now resolved, the two notable decisions that remain up in the air belong to the 49ers (Aldon Smith) and Vikings (Christian Ponder).