Browns exercise 5th year option on Phil Taylor, per Mary Kay Cabot

Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) scrambles away from Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor (98) and defensive end Jabaal Sheard (97) at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer, the Cleveland Browns have joined the list of teams to exercise the fifth year option on their 2011 first round pick.  Phil Taylor, the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft for the Browns after the trade with the Atlanta Falcons, who took Julio Jones, has been far and away the most productive of the picks the Browns received in that trade.  The Browns did give up a third to move up a few spots to get Taylor in a trade with the Chiefs, who were believed to be trading down thinking they could get Taylor.

This move entrenches Taylor as the middle of Mike Pettine’s defensive line for the next two seasons at least and hopefully for longer.  Taylor has been inconsistent in his play, showing that he could be a dominant force at times, but needing to do it more consistently.  This move means that the Browns will have Taylor and Desmond Bryant in the fold for a while and that could be the key for the Browns defensive front under Pettine.  This will be a big year for both players as Bryant is now healthy after his heart operation after being arguably the best player on the defense last year and Taylor has an opportunity to fully realize what he can be as a player this year.