The Raiders have thrown "Coal Train" Taylor a rugby league lifeline, offering him a chance to train with the club and dangling an NRL contract in front of him to add motivation.

If Taylor fails to meet the Raiders' standards on and off the field, he will be scratched from the Raiders' roster for 2017 and won't get a chance to wear lime green.

But if he can pull his life together, the Raiders will sign him on a modest deal to be a part of what will become one of the most feared forward packs in rugby league.

The 123 kilogram powerhouse was a Queensland State of Origin star at the peak of his powers but has been plagued by weight issues, motivation questions and off-field dramas throughout his career.

Taylor was one of eight Gold Coast Titans players charged with supplying cocaine two years ago and pleaded guilty in August. He is set to be sentenced in November.

The outcome of the sentencing could impact the NRL's stance on Taylor's impending return to the competition and in Canberra as Stuart builds a no-nonsense mentality in Canberra.

Joey Leilua and Junior Paulo both arrived in the capital with troubled off-field reputations, but have turned themselves around under Stuart's guidance.

It is hoped Taylor, who has played for Brisbane, South Sydney and the Gold Coast, will follow a similar path after parting ways with Catalans in the UK Super League.

Taylor will get a contract audition when the Raiders return for pre-season training in November. If he impresses in that stint, he will be invited back after Christmas with the view of offering him a deal if he maintains standards.

"If David returns after Christmas [and] he has made some advancement towards his next short-term goal, which is pre-season and the opportunity of two trial games," Stuart said.

"If David is then offered a small playing fee for 2017 he has made better choices for himself, his family and his football.

"It has shown he has bought in and committed to turning himself around. The Raiders have the resources [to turn] David into a regular NRL player, it's up to David to show if he wants it bad enough."

Taylor, 28, would offset the departure of Paul Vaughan, who signed a rich deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons last weekend.

Stuart has built a culture of hard work and respect in Canberra, culminating in the club's best season in 21 years.

The new generation Raiders have welcomed in former bad boys Joey Leilua and Junior Paulo and managed to get their careers back on track.

If Taylor is unwilling to buy into that culture, it's unlikely he will be given a chance to wear the lime green jersey.

Taylor would join a forward pack already boasting Shannon Boyd, Junior Paulo, Sia Soliola and Josh Papalii.

Even if Taylor gets a contract, he would likely use the NSW Cup as his stepping stone back to the NRL.

The Raiders rolled into their first preliminary final since Super League in 1997 on the back of their rampaging forward pack.

Their domination up front gave their halves and outside backs room to move and chances to strike.

Taylor has played for Queensland in State of Origin and Australia, but he has been unable to find consistency to become one of the best in the game.

However, it is hoped he could mirror the rise of Boyd if he accepts the Raiders challenge to chase the NRL contract carrot.

Boyd was on the verge of walking away from the NRL when Stuart challenged him to lift his game to chase a new contract.

Boyd stepped up and earned his first Australian Test cap last weekend, and is expected to be a NSW Origin contender next year.

The Raiders also have Clay Priest and Luke Bateman pushing for NRL starting spots while Shaun Fensom is also trying to force his way back into the game-day squad.

Vaughan, however, will join the Dragons next year after agreeing to a three-year deal reportedly worth $1.75 million.