Tag: Vincent Taylor

10 free agent defensive linemen Broncos should consider signing

The Broncos’ defensive line depth was thin even before Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended. Here’s a quick list of 10 free agents available.

The Denver Broncos’ defensive line depth chart took another hit on Monday.

The league announced that Broncos second-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike has been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games in 2022. Even before losing Uwazurike for at least the 2023 season, Denver’s defensive line depth was already thin.

The Broncos lost both Dre’Mont Jones and DeShawn Williams — their starting defensive ends in 2022 — during free agency this spring. Zach Allen was signed to replace Jones, but the team did not sign a direct replacement for Williams, who started 15 games last season.

With Uwazurike suspended, the team’s remaining defensive linemen are Allen, D.J. Jones, Mike Purcell, Matt Henningsen, Jonathan Harris, Tyler Lancaster, Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia, PJ Mustipher and Haggai Ndubuisi.

Purcell will begin training camp this week on the non-football injury list after undergoing surgery this offseason. With Purcell sidelined, Henningsen (a second-year player with no starts on his resume) is currently the team’s No. 3 defensive lineman behind Allen and Jones.

It seems fair to say Denver could use some more depth at the position. Here’s a quick list of 10 free agent defensive linemen the Broncos should consider signing following Uwazurike’s suspension.

Tuesday Takeaways: Falcons begin voluntary offseason program

A.J. Terrell, Younghoe Koo and Kyle Pitts were among the players to show up for the start of Atlanta’s voluntary offseason program.

The Atlanta Falcons signed two players and began their voluntary offseason program on Tuesday. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus signed his right-of-refusal tender which will pay him $2.43 million to stay in Atlanta for another season.

The Falcons also officially signed free-agent defensive tackle Vincent Taylor to a one-year deal.

Report: Falcons to sign free-agent DL Vincent Taylor

The Falcons hosted free agent Vincent Taylor earlier this week and now it appears the team will sign the 28-year-old defensive lineman.

Despite having Pro Bowl defensive lineman Grady Jarrett under contract for one more year, the Atlanta Falcons are lacking depth along their defensive line following the release of nose tackle Tyeler Davison.

The team hosted free-agent defensive lineman Vincent Taylor earlier in the week and on Saturday, Jordan Schultz reported that the Falcons are signing the 28-year-old veteran.

Taylor was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played in just one game last season for the Houston Texans before a season-ending ankle injury.

Over his five-year NFL career, Taylor has played in 40 games, racking up 65 tackles (42 solo), two sacks and four QB hits.

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Falcons hosting free-agent DT Vincent Taylor, per report

Atlanta is hosting free-agent defensive tackle Vincent Taylor, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

After releasing nose tackle Tyeler Davison back in March, the Atlanta Falcons need to add some depth along the interior of their defensive line.

While there are some good options likely to be available in the upcoming NFL draft, the Falcons have so many roster holes that it makes sense to address as many as possible in free agency. This will allow general manager Terry Fontenot to take the best player available.

Atlanta is currently hosting free-agent defensive tackle Vincent Taylor, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Taylor, 28, was drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played in just one game last season for the Houston Texans before a season-ending ankle injury.

Since 2017, Taylor has played in 40 NFL games, racking up 65 tackles (42 solo), two sacks and four QB hits.

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Texans sign DL Jaleel Johnson to active roster among other roster moves

The Houston Texans brought back defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson along with making other roster moves final on Wednesday.

The Houston Texans announced four roster moves on Wednesday.

The first was the placement of defensive tackle Vincent Taylor on injured reserve. The former Miami Dolphins 2017 sixth-round pick’s season was over after one game with Houston beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21.

Taking Taylor’s place on the active roster is defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson, who was in camp and played the entire preseason with the Texans. Johnson did not make the final cuts, but the New Orleans Saints signed him to their practice squad.

In signing Johnson from someone else’s practice squad to the Texans’ active roster, he will count against Houston’s active roster for the next three weeks and earn three weeks’ salary.

The Texans also dropped cornerback Antonio Phillips from the practice squad and signed safety Grayland Arnold, who was an undrafted free agent from Baylor in 2020. Arnold signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and bounced from the team’s practice squad to the active roster throughout the season. Arnold was released from the Eagles on Sept. 3.

Texans DT Vincent Taylor carted off the field against the Jaguars

Houston Texans defensive tackle Vincent Taylor was carted off the field due to an injury sustained agains the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.

HOUSTON — In the midst of blowing out the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Houston Texans had a major injury scare late in the fourth quarter. Defensive tackle Vincent Taylor exited Sunday’s season opener against the Jaguars with an apparent lower leg injury and was carted off the field at NRG Stadium.

Taylor, 27, signed with the Texans on a one-year deal to help enhance Houston’s defensive line. At the time of his injury, Taylor had two tackles on the day — rookie Roy Lopez made the defensive substitution.

“I think I’m playing with a lot more confidence, learning the scheme, knowing it’s a tap front, that’s the scheme that I like to play,” Taylor said during training camp practice in August. “For me, it’s just confidence. I think I’m playing with confidence. I’m trying to do what the coaches ask me to do.”

Taylor was one of three players who sustained an injury during the Texans Week 1 match against the Jaguars. Safety Justin Reid and cornerback Vernon Hargreaves each sustained a minor injury but returned to the game.

Texans DT Vincent Taylor says defense still has ‘room for improvement’

Houston Texans defensive tackle isn’t taking the early cheese, but rather sticking to the theme that the defense must still find ways to improve.

Houston Texans defensive tackle Vincent Taylor is encouraged, but still motivated to get better.

The Texans’ seven takeaways procured are the most in preseason. Their 72.0 rushing yards per game are the fourth-fewest in the league.

It all isn’t too bad for a unit that only had nine takeaways in 2020, and gave up 5.2 yards per carry — both of which were the worst in the NFL among defenses.

Even though there is positivity, Taylor isn’t going to get sidetracked from the work.

“We always got room for improvement,” said Taylor. “It’s good that we’re getting turnovers. I think each preseason game we had got turnovers. That’s one thing [defensive coordinator] Lovie Smith preaches, so we just got to keep getting turnovers. Like I said, there is always room for improvement.”

The Texans defense will get a bit of a test in their final preseason game — a 7:00 p.m. Central Time kickoff from NRG Stadium Saturday — as they face the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. How many starters play for the Bucs in the finale remains to be seen, but the concept of going against the defending champions is a benchmark of sorts.

“I think this week will be a big test for us like he just mentioned playing the defending champ,” said Taylor. “That’s one thing that we got to just keep focusing on, the run defense, and then forcing turnovers.”

If the Texans can continue their improvement of shutting down the run while procuring takeaways, it will be the right kind of encouragement the team needs heading into Week 1.

Texans agree to terms with Browns DT Vincent Taylor

Taylor performed well in limited duty in Cleveland

Vincent Taylor is on the move. The Browns defensive tackle has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans on a one-year deal in free agency, per numerous reports. The deal is for $2 million and includes a guaranteed figure of $850,000.

Taylor played one season in Cleveland and acquitted himself well in limited duty as part of the Browns defensive interior rotation. In 15 games, the 27-year-old managed 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. He also batted down two passes during the Browns postseason run.

Houston will be Taylor’s fourth team in as many seasons. He began his career in Miami and also had a year in Buffalo before joining the Browns off waivers last fall.

Free agent defensive linemen for the Browns to consider in 2021

Free agent defensive linemen for the Browns to consider in 2021

Defensive line is a tricky position to project with the Cleveland Browns. The team has a big question with pending free agent Larry Ogunjobi, a solid starter for the last three seasons. Top starter Sheldon Richardson will be back, but he’s 30 and entering the final year of his contract with the team.

The depth is in question, too. Andrew Billings returns after opting out for 2020, but we don’t yet know how he’ll fit in Cleveland. Jordan Elliott didn’t do much as a third-round rookie last season in limited reps. He was outshined by Vincent Taylor, who is also a pending free agent.

In short, Cleveland at least needs to bolster the depth chart on the defensive interior. They could well stand to do much more than that, too. And that’s where free agency comes in…

It’s an interesting crop of free agent DTs in 2021. Here are a few who could help the Browns in the coming season, and perhaps beyond too.

All players listed will be unrestricted free agents as of March 17th

Breaking down the Browns top and bottom PFF scores from Week 5

Who scored well and who did not for the Browns in Week 5

Pro Football Focus released its grades for the Cleveland Browns in the 32-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. The PFF grades show some familiar names at the top of the offensive charts but some fresh blood amongst the defensive leaders.

On offense, guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio were the top Dawgs. Teller earned the highest score, though in just 14 snaps he didn’t meet the minimum playing time threshold to qualify. Bitonio’s 80.4 is the top mark for players who were on the field for at least 20 snaps.

He was followed by TE Austin Hooper (73.6), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (73.3) and TE David Njoku (70.9). Chris Hubbard, who took over for Teller at right guard, played well in relief in earning a 69.8 grade.

Defensively, safety Ronnie Harrison had the best grade. His pick-six no doubt bolstered the 79.6 score. Two players who failed to meet the 20-snap mark fared better: safety Sheldrick Redwine (93.0 in 19 snaps) and LB Sione Takitaki (82.5).

Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who stood out on game film in the second half, was next amongst qualifiers with a 77.8 grade. Myles Garrett earned a 72.1.

Then there’s the other side of the coin…

The Browns defensive line in general scored poorly. Vincent Taylor had the worst mark at 37.3 of the 20-snap qualifiers. Adrian Clayborn was just above him.

Andrew Sendejo continues to struggle at safety. He scored a 47.4, his second-lowest overall grade of the season. Cornerback Denzel Ward had his lowest-graded game of the year at just 48.1.

RB D’Ernest Johnson might have saved the game with his great run late in the fourth quarter, but he earned the lowest offensive grade. Johnson’s 55.3 was just above rookie LT Jedrick Wills (55.8) in the roughest outing of the year for the team’s first-rounder.