Tyrod Taylor Fantasy News and Statistics

Tyrod Taylor seems relatively new on the scene due to the short time he’s spent as a starting quarterback, but he’s been around since 2011. As Joe Flacco’s backup in Baltimore, few could have predicted Taylor would become a starter for the Buffalo Bills. But he has held down that job since 2015 even with challenges from the likes of Matt Cassell, EJ Manuel and Cardale Jones.

Taylor was a highly decorated quarterback at Virginia Tech from 2007 to 2010. Taylor spent his freshman season splitting time with Sean Glennon, the brother of current Chicago Bears quarterback Mike Glennon.

He wasn’t much of a throwing quarterback with the Hokies, as he threw for 2,743 yards in his senior season. That was his career-high, but he finished No. 46 in FBS. He finished the season No. 11 in rushing yards amongst quarterbacks with 659.

The Hokies were very successful during Taylor’s tenure. They won the ACC three times and played in the Orange Bowl three times, winning once (2008). They also picked up a Chick-fil-A Bowl victory in 2009. Taylor won the ACC Player of the Year in his senior season and left college with a record of 23-5.

Due to Taylor’s small size and athleticism, many teams saw him playing another position in the NFL. He fell to the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, but they did draft him to play quarterback. Taylor made the team as Joe Flacco’s backup.

Taylor spent four years in that role, with the highlight of his Ravens career coming in Baltimore’s Super Bowl XLVII victory. Taylor became a free agent after the 2014 season. His Ravens' tenure ended with 19 completions on 35 attempts for 199 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Bills signed Taylor to a three-year deal, and he beat out Cassell and Manuel for the starting job. When the Bills traded Cassell to the Cowboys later that season, Taylor had the starting job to himself.

In his first season as a starter, he threw for 3,035 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. Only Cam Newton had more rushing yards than Taylor (568). Taylor’s best game came against Kansas City in November, when he threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He earned a trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, though the Bills finished third in the AFC East with an 8-8 record.

Taylor’s 2016 stat line was almost identical. He threw for 12 fewer yards, three fewer touchdowns, and six interceptions. He added 580 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Perhaps his best accomplishment was throwing for his first 300-yard game in Week 16. However, the Bills again finished third in the AFC East, this time with a 7-9 record. He again earned a Pro Bowl invitation as an alternate, but turned it down due to a groin injury.

Taylor enters the final year of his contract in 2017. The Bills traded away Sammy Watkins in the preseason and acquired Jordan Matthews in his place, which is unlikely to do Taylor any favors. Buffalo did pick up a second-round pick in the Watkins trade, but Taylor may not be around to enjoy it. Barring a huge season, he may find himself on a new team in 2018.