Alontae Taylor Bio
Alontae Devaun Taylor is an American professional football cornerback who currently plays in the National Football League (NFL). He entered the league as a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and spent his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Tennessee Titans in March 2026. Taylor played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback during his freshman year and developed into a starting defensive player for the Volunteers.
Early Life and Background
Alontae Taylor was born on December 3, 1998, in Winchester, Tennessee. He attended Coffee County Central High School in Manchester, Tennessee, where he played quarterback for the football team. During his high school career, Taylor accumulated 8,225 yards of total offense and scored 75 touchdowns, demonstrating his athletic versatility and playmaking ability from an early age.
Taylor was recognized as a top prospect coming out of high school. He participated in the prestigious 2018 Under Armour All-American Game, which showcases the nation’s top high school players. His strong performance in high school and at the All-American Game attracted attention from multiple college programs seeking his services.
Path to Professional Football
After considering several scholarship offers, Taylor committed to play college football at the University of Tennessee. He initially arrived at Tennessee as a wide receiver but made a significant position change prior to his freshman season, transitioning to cornerback. This position switch proved pivotal to his future professional career, as the coaching staff recognized his physical tools and instincts suited him better for defensive back play.
Taylor quickly earned a starting role at cornerback, beginning his true freshman year. Over his four seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers from 2018 to 2021, he started 31 of 45 career games, developing into a reliable coverage defender. He played under head coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Josh Heupel during his college tenure, gaining experience in multiple defensive systems.
His college career produced solid statistical production, finishing with 162 tackles, four interceptions, one pick-six, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. He demonstrated his ball skills and ability to make plays on the ball, qualities that would translate to the professional level. Taylor decided to skip the 2021 Music City Bowl to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft, concluding his collegiate career on his own terms.
Alontae Taylor Career
New Orleans Saints (2022–2025)
The New Orleans Saints selected Alontae Taylor in the second round with the 49th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was the eighth cornerback selected in that draft class, reflecting the league’s recognition of his coverage abilities and potential. On July 19, 2022, the Saints signed Taylor to a four-year, $7.20 million rookie contract that included $3.45 million guaranteed and a $2.41 million signing bonus.
Taylor entered training camp projected as a backup cornerback, competing for the third spot on the depth chart against veteran Bradley Roby. Head coach Dennis Allen named him the fourth cornerback on the initial depth chart behind Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, and Roby. He made his professional regular-season debut on September 11, 2022, in the season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons, seeing limited snaps on special teams in the 27–26 victory.
Taylor suffered a knee injury during practice in late September and was placed on injured reserve on September 24, 2022. He was activated from injured reserve on October 20 after missing four games. His opportunity came when both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo suffered injuries, prompting the Saints to elevate Taylor into the starting lineup. He earned his first career start on October 20, 2022, against the Arizona Cardinals and recorded three solo tackles in that game.
Despite the rocky start to his rookie season, Taylor finished strong by starting the final nine consecutive games. He finished his rookie year with 46 combined tackles (39 solo) and 11 passes defended in 13 games played, establishing himself as a promising young cornerback in the Saints secondary.
2023 Season Breakthrough
Entering his second NFL season, Taylor competed for the starting nickelback role during training camp under new defensive coordinator Joe Woods. He won the competition and was named the starting nickelback, listing him as the third cornerback on the depth chart behind Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo.
In Week 3 of the 2023 season, Taylor recorded his first career sack when he brought down Jordan Love for a 14-yard loss during a game against the Green Bay Packers. He also set a career-high with five pass deflections in that game while making five solo tackles. His versatility as a coverage defender and blitzer became increasingly evident as the season progressed.
On December 31, 2023, Taylor recorded his first career interception, picking off a pass by Baker Mayfield during a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He followed that with another interception the following week against Desmond Ridder and the Atlanta Falcons, demonstrating his growing comfort in the Saints defensive scheme. He appeared in all 17 games during the 2023 season, starting 13, and finished with 75 combined tackles (56 solo), two interceptions, 14 passes defended, one sack, and one forced fumble.
2024 Season and Emergence as Starter
During the 2024 offseason, Taylor faced competition from 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry for the nickelback role. He began the season as the third cornerback behind Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore. In Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, Taylor recorded six combined tackles and set a new career-high with three sacks, helping the Saints win 47–10. This performance set a Saints franchise record for most sacks in a single game by a defensive back.
When Paulson Adebo was placed on injured reserve in October 2024, Taylor moved into the No. 2 starting cornerback role alongside Marshon Lattimore. Following the Saints’ decision to trade Lattimore to the Washington Commanders in November, Taylor became the de facto No. 1 cornerback for the final stretch of the season. He started the remaining games alongside Shemar Jean-Charles due to McKinstry’s hamstring injury.
Taylor finished the 2024 season with 89 tackles, 16 passes defended, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. His sack total and overall defensive production represented significant growth from his first two seasons, establishing him as one of the Saints’ key defensive players. He made 16 starts across 17 appearances during the campaign.
Final Saints Season (2025)
Taylor continued his development during the 2025 season, appearing in 17 games with 16 starts for the Saints. He recorded two interceptions, 11 pass deflections, two sacks, and 83 combined tackles. His consistent production and availability made him a stable presence in the Saints secondary for the fourth consecutive season. His 83 tackles brought his four-year Saints career totals to 293 combined tackles, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 52 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Taylor is known for his physical style of play and versatility in coverage. He demonstrates excellent ball skills and instincts for locating the football, which has enabled him to produce consistent pass deflection numbers throughout his career. His ability to play both outside cornerback and in the slot as a nickelback provides defensive coordinators with lineup flexibility. Taylor also shows effectiveness as a blitzer, recording multiple sacks each season since 2023 and demonstrating timing and technique when rushing the quarterback.
Notable Events and Milestones
Taylor’s most notable performance came in Week 1 of the 2024 season when he recorded three sacks against Bryce Young, setting a Saints franchise record for a defensive back and tying an NFL record for sacks by a cornerback in a single game. His first career interception in December 2023 against Baker Mayfield marked his emergence as a playmaker in addition to his coverage duties. His consistent progression from a backup rookie to a starting No. 1 cornerback represents his most significant career milestone with the Saints organization.
Alontae Taylor Career Wins
Taylor has accumulated impressive statistical totals across his four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, demonstrating consistent improvement year over year. His versatility as both a coverage defender and effective blitzer has made him a valuable asset in the Saints defensive scheme.
New Orleans Saints Highlights
Over four seasons with the Saints (2022–2025), Taylor appeared in 64 games with 54 starts. His career totals include 293 combined tackles, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 52 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. His best statistical season came in 2024 when he recorded 89 tackles and 16 passes defended while emerging as a starting cornerback. His first career sack in Week 3 of the 2023 season and first interception later that same season represented breakthrough moments in his development. His record-setting three-sack game against Carolina in 2024 stands as one of the most impressive single-game performances by a cornerback in NFL history.
Other Highlights
Taylor’s college career at Tennessee produced 162 tackles and 4 interceptions over 45 games played. His transition from wide receiver to cornerback as a freshman at Tennessee demonstrated his football intelligence and adaptability, qualities that have translated to his professional success.
| Season | Team | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | New Orleans Saints | 46 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| 2023 | New Orleans Saints | 75 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| 2024 | New Orleans Saints | 89 | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| 2025 | New Orleans Saints | 83 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
Alontae Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited verified information is publicly available regarding Alontae Taylor’s family background and immediate family members. No confirmed reports detail his parents, siblings, or any family connections to professional athletics beyond his own career accomplishments.
Personal Life
Taylor maintains a public presence on social media, where he shares updates about his football career and personal activities. He graduated from the University of Tennessee having played four seasons of college football. Beyond his football career, Taylor has not made widely reported details about his personal life, relationships, or off-field interests publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Taylor’s fourth year with the New Orleans Saints and his continued establishment as a reliable starting cornerback in the NFL. He appeared in 17 games with 16 starts, demonstrating his durability and importance to the Saints defense. His two interceptions and 11 pass deflections showed continued ability to make plays on the ball, while his 83 tackles reflected his active involvement in stopping the run game.
Taylor’s consistency throughout the 2025 season provided stability for a Saints secondary that underwent changes during the campaign. His experience and communication skills in the defensive backfield became increasingly valuable as younger players developed around him. His two sacks demonstrated his continued effectiveness as a rusher when the defense dialed up pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Looking ahead, Taylor’s contract situation and future with the Saints represented key storylines as the 2025 season concluded. His four-year tenure in New Orleans had seen him develop from a rookie backup into a proven NFL starter with increasing responsibilities and production. The 2025 season performance established him as a valuable asset whose next career move would attract significant attention around the league.