Alontae Taylor
Summary
Alontae Taylor was selected in Round 2 (#49 Overall) in the 2022 Draft out of University of Tennessee. Taylor is a physical, long‑armed cornerback who brings impressive speed, length and versatility to the defensive backfield. At Tennessee, he demonstrated the ability to play press‑man, off‑man and zone coverage, while also contributing as a run‑supporter and blitzer. Selected early by the New Orleans Saints, he has the foundational traits for a high‑impact defensive back — though he still needs to polish some technique, consistency and strength aspects to fully unlock his potential.
Strengths
Length, size & speed combo: Taylor possesses the rare blend of long arms, good height (6’0+), and elite speed (ran a 4.36 40‑yard dash) which gives him the physical tools to match up with outside receivers. Bleacher Report
Press/man coverage ability: He shows the willingness and tools to jam at the line, reroute receivers and take away space early in the route. Rocky Top Talk
Run‑support and physicality: He is a willing tackler, shows up in the run game, and isn’t shy about mixing it up near the line of scrimmage. Bleacher Report
Ball skills & awareness: He has shown the ability to read routes, stay disciplined in zone, flip his hips, and make plays on the ball from behind or deep. NFL Draft Buzz
Versatility in alignment: Taylor has experience across press and off coverage, in zone roles and man roles, which gives him scheme flexibility. SI
Weaknesses
Strength and physical contests: While long and fast, he occasionally struggles when matched up against bigger, more physical receivers—especially in contested catch situations. NFL Draft Buzz
Footwork, hip‑fluidity and change‑of‑direction: Some evaluators noted he can be a bit stiff in transitions, especially when forced to redirect or mirror very agile receivers. Bleacher Report
Impulsiveness and over‑aggression: He has a tendency to gamble or play overly aggressive, which can lead to him being caught out of position or giving up separation on double moves. NFL Draft Buzz
Consistency and seasoning: While showing flashes of high‑level play, he still needs more sustained consistency at the NFL level — especially when asked to handle full outside corner responsibilities rather than slot/nickel or specialized roles.
Durability / off‑field polish: While not a major red‑flag, there’s less long‑term tape of him dominating every rep compared to some peers — his game still holds developmental upside. Rocky Top Talk
Fit & Outlook
Taylor fits best in a defense that wants a physical, long‑corner who can play both outside and in the slot/nickel, and who can contribute as a run‑defender and occasional blitzer. A scheme that mixes press‑man alignments, movement, and opportunities to rotate him depending on matchups will extract his best value. Given his athletic profile, he is well‑suited for a team that emphasizes aggressive secondary play rather than purely passive, zone‑only corner roles. Outlook‑wise, Taylor has a promising trajectory. His floor is solid: he should be able to earn consistent playing time, especially in sub‑packages (nickel, dime) or in hybrid roles as the Saints (or any team) leverage his unique traits. On the upside, if he continues to refine his technique, improve his consistency in high‑leverage situations, and show dominance in full‑time outside corner roles, he could develop into a top‑tier starting corner — one who routinely battles for interceptions, pass‑breakups and becomes a dependable number‑one on the perimeter. The risk is manageable: if his weaknesses aren’t addressed, he may simply become a good starter or versatile nickel rather than elite. For a second‑round pick, he offers a strong combination of physical tools + upside with a reasonable path to starter status.