Taywan Taylor

{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}

{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Taywan Taylor

| image = Taywan Taylor 2018 08-09.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Taylor with the Tennessee Titans in 2018

| current_team =

| number =13, 10

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|2}}

| birth_place = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 205

| high_school = Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville)

| college = Western Kentucky (2013-2016)

| draftyear = 2017

| draftround = 3

| draftpick = 72

| pastteams =

| status =

| highlights =

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Receptions

| statvalue1 = 53

| statlabel2 = Receiving yards

| statvalue2 = 697

| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 2

}}

Taywan Marshawn Taylor{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylTa00.htm |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2018-09-01 |title=Taywan Taylor |url=https://www.titansonline.com/team/players-roster/taywan-taylor/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044624/https://www.titansonline.com/team/players-roster/taywan-taylor/ |archive-date=2018-09-01 |access-date=2022-08-12 }} (born March 2, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.

After two seasons with the Titans, he was then traded to the Cleveland Browns, with whom he received minimal playing time over the next two seasons. He then had an offseason stint with the Houston Texans in 2021. In 2022, he played for the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Early life

Taylor attended Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky.{{Cite news |title=Former PRP and WKU star Taywan Taylor selected by Titans in NFL Draft |language=en |work=WAVE3 |url=http://www.wave3.com/story/35282836/former-prp-and-wku-star-taywan-taylor-selected-by-titans-in-nfl-draft |access-date=April 9, 2018}} As a senior, he had 52 receptions for 1,169 yards and 18 total touchdowns for the football team. He committed to Western Kentucky University to play college football. Taylor also played basketball in high school.[http://usatodayhss.com/2013/boys-sweet-16-taywan-taylor-prps-man-for-two-seasons Boys' Sweet 16 | Taywan Taylor PRP's man for two seasons]

College career

As a true freshman at Western Kentucky in 2013, Taylor played in 11 games with seven starts and had 24 receptions for 270 yards.[http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentuckiana/2014/09/03/wku-wide-receiver-taywan-taylor-catching-now/15047669/ WKU wide receiver Taywan Taylor catching on]{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taywan-taylor-1/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} As a sophomore in 2014, he played in all 13 games with seven starts and recorded 45 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns.[http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/index.ssf/2016/09/saban_western_kentucky_receive.html Saban: Western Kentucky receiver as good as any WR we'll play this year]{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taywan-taylor-1/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Taylor set numerous school records his junior year in 2015. He finished the year with 86 receptions for 1,467 yards and 17 touchdowns, all school records.[http://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/wku/after-breezing-past-defenses-wku-s-taylor-returns-to-challenge/article_e736d6a4-a917-5c27-9728-37fccd42041e.html After breezing past defenses, WKU's Taylor returns to challenge himself][http://www.bgdailynews.com/blogs/hilltopper_focus/hilltopper-focus-wku-wr-taywan-taylor-enjoys-testing-nfl-waters/article_2e21830e-ec5f-11e5-b815-db8cac0091bd.html HILLTOPPER FOCUS: WKU WR Taywan Taylor enjoys testing NFL waters, but ready to go out with a bang in senior season]{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taywan-taylor-1/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He also broke school records for career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns during the season.[http://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/wku/record-breaking-wr-taylor-ready-for-final-year-at-wku/article_eb1d98ec-09d8-5be0-b202-afe6fdb8899d.html Record-breaking WR Taylor ready for final year at WKU] As a senior in 2016, Taylor broke the previous year's records with 98 receptions for 1,730 yards and 17 touchdowns.[http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentuckiana/2016/12/18/lville-natives-look-end-wku-careers-top/95586746/ L'Ville natives look to end WKU careers on top]{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taywan-taylor-1/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} He also broke the school career receptions record during the season.[http://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/wku/wku-wr-taylor-breaks-hilltopper-career-receptions-record/article_a8fec117-6924-520a-9a25-7b788462e6c2.html WKU WR Taylor breaks Hilltopper career receptions record] For his career, he had 253 receptions for 4,234 yards and 41 touchdowns.

He graduated from Western Kentucky in May 2017 with a degree in elementary education.

=College statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! rowspan="2"| Games

! colspan="4"| Receiving

! colspan="4"| Rushing

Rec || Yards || Avg || Rec TD || Att || Yards || Avg || TD
2013

! WKU

| 10 || 24 || 270 || 11.3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || – || 0

2014

! WKU

| 12 || 45 || 767 || 17.0 || 7 || 1 || 11 || 11 || 0

2015

! WKU

| 14 || 86 || 1,467 || 17.1 || 17 || 7 || 2 || 0.3 || 0

2016

! WKU

| 14 || 98 || 1,730 || 17.7 || 17 || 6 || 36 || 6.0 || 0

colspan=2 | Career

! 50 || 253 || 4,234 || 16.7 || 41 || 14 || 49 || 3.5 || 0

Source:{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/taywan-taylor-1.html}}

Professional career

=Pre-draft=

On November 15, 2016, it was reported that Taylor and teammate Forrest Lamp had received and accepted offers to play in the 2017 Senior Bowl.{{Cite web |date=November 15, 2016 |title=Lamp, Taylor earn Senior Bowl invitations |url=https://espnky.com/lamp-taylor-earn-senior-bowl-invitations/ |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=espnky.com |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201807/https://espnky.com/lamp-taylor-earn-senior-bowl-invitations/ |url-status=dead }} Taylor was impressive during Senior Bowl practices and showed his ability to focus on contested catches and showed smooth route running.{{Cite web |last=Tony Pauline |date=January 26, 2017 |title=Day Two Senior Bowl Risers |url=http://draftanalyst.com/day-two-senior-bowl-risers |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=draftanalyst.com |archive-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201535/http://draftanalyst.com/day-two-senior-bowl-risers |url-status=dead }} He reportedly drew interest from multiple teams throughout the week and had meetings with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |last=Kevin Boilard |date=January 25, 2017 |title=WR Taywan Taylor intriguing Raiders at 2017 Senior Bowl |url=https://www.247sports.com/college/western-kentucky/Bolt/WR-Taywan-Taylor-intriguing-Oakland-Raiders-at-2017-Senior-Bowl-50813431/Amp |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=247sports.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On January 28, 2017, Taylor caught one reception for 14-yards, helping Cleveland Browns' head coach Hue Jackson's South team defeat the North 16–15.{{Cite web |last=John Reecer |date=January 30, 2017 |title=Lamp, Taylor impress at Reese's Senior Bowl |url=http://wkuherald.com/sports/football/lamp-taylor-impress-at-reese-s-senior-bowl/article_b74feff1-b224-5f36-87f9-2a1bb739d620.html |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=wkuherald.com }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Taylor was one of 58 wide receivers invited to perform at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed all of the combine drills and finished first among his position group in the three-cone drill, tied for third in the short shuttle, and finished sixth in the broad jump.{{Cite web |title=NFL Combine results 2017: Full wide receiver numbers |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/3/3/14802242/2017-nfl-combine-results-wide-receivers-corey-davis-mike-williams |access-date=December 17, 2017 |website=sbnation.com}} On March 27, 2017, Taylor attended Western Kentucky's pro day, along with Forrest Lamp, Max Halpin, and six other teammates.{{Cite web |last=Gil Brandt |date=March 27, 2017 |title=Pro day results: Iowa, Houston, Villanova, WKU, Texas Southern |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-day-results-iowa-houston-villanova-wku-texas-southern-0ap3000000796469 |access-date=December 17, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} He opted to run positional drills and attempted to improve on his vertical jump and broad jump from the combine. Taylor increased his vertical to 38", but was unable to improve on his broad jump. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Taylor was projected by NFL draft experts and analysts to be a third or fourth round pick. He was ranked the 14th best wide receiver prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor, DS #14 WR, Western Kentucky |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=128235&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=December 17, 2017 |website=DraftScout.com}}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 11

| weight = 203

| dash = 4.50

| ten split = 1.56

| twenty split = 2.56

| shuttle = 4.21

| cone drill = 6.57

| vertical = 38

| broad ft = 11

| broad in = 0

| bench = 13

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 32 5/8

| hand span = 9 1/4

| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor Draft and Combine Prospect Profile|url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/taywan-taylor/32005441-5971-6250-197f-078bbce0e7cb |access-date=December 16, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}

}}

=Tennessee Titans=

==2017 season==

The Tennessee Titans selected Taylor in the third round (72nd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt, Jim |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Titans Trade with Patriots; Select Western Kentucky WR Taywan Taylor in 3rd Round |url=http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Trade-with-Patriots-Select-Western-Kentucky-WR-Taywan-Taylor-in-3rd-Round/563bc8a6-0e8d-4186-b3d7-caef9c208785 |website=TitansOnline.com}} He was the second wide receiver selected by the Titans in 2017, behind Western Michigan's Corey Davis, who was selected in the first round (5th overall).{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On June 5, 2017, the Titans signed Taylor to a four-year, $3.68 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $916,012.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Taywan Taylor contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/taywan-taylor-21814/ |access-date=December 18, 2017 |website=spotrac.com}}

File:Taywan Taylor with Titans.jpg

Throughout training camp, he competed against Eric Decker for the vacant starting slot receiver job after the departure of longtime veteran Kendall Wright during free agency. Although he competed with Decker, he worked and learned under him extensively.{{Cite web |last=Jason Wolf |date=August 2, 2017 |title=Titans ask Eric Decker to coach up rookie Taywan Taylor |url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2017/08/02/tennessee-titans-ask-eric-decker-coach-up-rookie-taywan-taylor/530060001/ |access-date=December 17, 2017 |website=Tennessean.com}} Head coach Mike Mularkey named him the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Rishard Matthews, Eric Decker, and Corey Davis.{{Cite web |title=Ourlads.com: Tennessee Titan's depth chart: 09/01/2017 |url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/200/TEN |access-date=December 17, 2017 |website=ourlads.com}}

Taylor made his NFL debut in the Titans' season-opener against the Raiders and recorded two receptions for 14-yards during their 26–16 loss. His first career reception came in the second quarter on a four-yard pass from Marcus Mariota before being tackled by Raiders' cornerback Sean Smith.{{Cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Week 1–2017: Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017091007/2017/REG1/raiders@titans |access-date=December 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans – September 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100oti.htm |access-date=October 6, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} On October 8, 2017, Taylor earned his first career start after Corey Davis was inactive due to a hamstring injury.{{Cite web |last=Terry Lambert |date=October 8, 2017 |title=NFL Week Five Inactives: Titans-Dolphins |url=https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/platform/amp/2017/10/8/16443832/nfl-week-five-inactives-titans-dolphins-marcus-mariota-injury |access-date=December 18, 2017 |website=musiccitymiracles.com}} He had a 5-yard carry during a 16–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins – October 8th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710080mia.htm |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On October 16, 2017, he caught his first NFL touchdown, a 53-yard pass from Mariota in a 36–22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football. Taylor finished the game with two receptions for 61 receiving yards.{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – October 16th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710160oti.htm |access-date=November 5, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The following game, Taylor had a season-high three receptions for 45-yards during a 12–9 overtime victory at the Browns.{{Cite web |title=N Player stats: Taywan Taylor (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/taywantaylor/2557870/gamelogs |access-date=December 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns – October 22nd, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710220cle.htm |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Taylor finished his rookie season with 16 receptions, 231 receiving yards, 43 rushing yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Taywan Taylor 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylTa00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Titans made the playoffs and faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round. In the 22–21 victory, he had a four-yard reception.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs – January 6th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201801060kan.htm |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the Divisional Round against the New England Patriots, he had a five-yard reception as the Titans lost 35–14.{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round – Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots – January 13th, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201801130nwe.htm |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2018 season==

On September 16, 2018, Taylor caught his first and only touchdown of the season on a screen pass from Blaine Gabbert as the Titans beat the Houston Texans by a score of 20–17. Two weeks later, Taylor had a career-high seven receptions for 77 yards during a 26–23 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, during a Week 9 victory against the Dallas Cowboys, Taylor injured his foot, causing him to miss the next 3 games. He returned in time for the Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets and had his first 100-yard game, catching 3 passes for 104 yards as the Titans won by a score of 26–22.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Tennessee Titans – December 2nd, 2018 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201812020oti.htm |access-date=December 2, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Taylor finished his second professional season with 37 receptions for 466 yards and a touchdown.

=Cleveland Browns=

On August 31, 2019, Taylor was traded to the Browns for an undisclosed 2020 NFL draft pick.{{Cite web |last=Kayla Anderson |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Titans make final cuts, trade Taylor to the Browns |url=https://www.wkrn.com/sports/titans-make-final-cuts-trade-taylor-to-the-browns/ |access-date=September 1, 2019 |website=WKRN.com |publisher=Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.}} Taylor only played in three games from Weeks 2–4, starting the Browns' Week two game against the Jets, and was only targeted once for a reception in the season, not making it. He did return three kicks for 53 yards. The Browns finished with a 6–10 record.

Taylor was waived by the Browns on September 5, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Risdon |first=Jeff |date=5 September 2020 |title=Browns pull the plug on WRs Damion Ratley, Taywan Taylor |url=https://brownswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/05/browns-pull-the-plug-on-wrs-damion-ratley-taywan-taylor/ |access-date=5 September 2020 |website=Browns Wire|publisher=USA Today}} The Browns re-signed Taylor to their practice squad on September 6, 2020.{{Cite news |date=September 6, 2020 |title=Browns Claim Two Players; Announce 14 Practice Squad Members |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-claim-two-players-announce-14-practice-squad-members}} Taylor was promoted to the Browns' active roster on October 7, 2020.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Browns designate TE David Njoku for return, sign WR Taywan Taylor |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-designate-te-david-njoku-for-return-sign-wr-taywan-taylor}} The Browns placed Taylor on injured reserve with a neck injury on December 8, 2020.{{Cite news |date=December 8, 2020 |title=Browns make roster moves |publisher=ClevelandBrowns.com |url=https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/browns-make-roster-moves-x8132}}

=Houston Texans=

On May 20, 2021, Taylor signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Houston Texans Transactions (5-20-2021) |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-5-20-2021 |website=HoustonTexans.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 25, 2021, and released on September 3.

=New Orleans Breakers=

Taylor was selected by the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League (USFL) in the 16th round of the 2022 USFL draft.{{cite tweet |user=USFLBreakers |title=Welcome to the Breakers, Taywan Taylor #GeauxBlueWave |number=1496515195807551488 |date=February 23, 2022 |access-date=April 16, 2022}} He was transferred to the team's practice squad before the start of the regular season on April 16,{{cite tweet |user=USFLBreakers |title=Roster Updates: Transferred to practice squad: |number=1515217257370210307 |date=April 16, 2022 |access-date=April 16, 2022}} and transferred back to the active roster on April 22.{{cite tweet |user=USFLBreakers |title=Roster Updates |number=1517710784100372480 |date=April 22, 2022 |access-date=April 23, 2022}}

=NFL statistics=

class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"

|+Regular season statistics

rowspan="2"|Season

! rowspan="2"|Team

! colspan="2"|Games

! colspan="5"|Receiving

! colspan="5"|Rushing

! colspan="5"|Returning

! colspan="2"|Fumbles

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDFUMLost
2017TEN

| 16 || 4 || 16 || 231 || 14.4 || 53T || 1 || 8 || 43 || 5.4 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

2018TEN

| 13 || 5 || 37 || 466 || 12.6 || 55 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1

2019CLE

| 3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 53 || 17.7 || 23 || 0 || 0 || 0

2020

!CLE

|3

|0

|0

|0

|0.0

|0

|0

|0

|0

|0.0

|0

|0

|0

|0

|0.0

|0

|0

|0

|0

colspan="2" |[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylTa00.htm Career] || 35 || 10 || 53 || 697 || 13.2 || 55 || 2 || 8 || 43 || 5.4 || 17 || 0 || 3 || 53 || 17.7 || 23 || 0 || 1 || 1

class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"

|+Postseason statistics

rowspan="2"|Season

! rowspan="2"|Team

! colspan="2"|Games

! colspan="5"|Receiving

! colspan="5"|Rushing

! colspan="5"|Returning

! colspan="2"|Fumbles

GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTDAttYdsAvgLngTDRetYdsAvgLngTDFUMLost
2017TEN

| 2 || 0 || 2 || 9 || 4.5 || 5 || 0 || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || –

colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylTa00/gamelog/post/ Career] || 2 || 0 || 2 || 9 || 4.5 || 5 || 0 || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || – || –

References

{{reflist|30em}}