The 2026 NFL offseason is shaping up to be a busy one, especially for teams like the New Orleans Saints. With a number of high-profile players set to hit free agency-including names like Trey Hendrickson, George Pickens, Devin Lloyd, and Tyler Linderbaum-there’s no shortage of talent on the move. For the Saints, the challenge is twofold: hold on to key contributors while also finding ways to retool the roster in critical areas.
One name to keep an eye on in New Orleans is cornerback Alontae Taylor. His time with the Saints has been a bit of a roller coaster-flashes of high-level play mixed with stretches of inconsistency.
But despite his ups and downs, Taylor has shown enough over the years to warrant legitimate interest on the open market. That’s what makes his absence from a recent top 250 free agents list so surprising.
According to the rankings, three Saints made the cut: veteran linebacker Demario Davis at No. 50, pass-rusher Cameron Jordan at No. 54, and tight end Foster Moreau sneaking in at No. 248. Taylor, however, was left off entirely.
Now, let’s be clear-Taylor isn’t without his flaws. His career missed tackle rate sits at 14.3%, which is higher than you’d like from a starting corner.
But in 2025, he made real strides in that area, cutting that number nearly in half to a career-best 7.8%. That kind of improvement is significant, especially for a player who’s been tasked with some tough coverage assignments in a Saints defense that’s leaned heavily on its secondary.
Yes, his coverage numbers dipped last season, and that likely played a role in his omission. But to suggest there are 250 more valuable free agents-and more than 30 better cornerbacks-feels like a stretch.
Taylor has 52 pass deflections over four seasons. That’s not just a stat line; it’s a sign of a player who consistently finds himself around the football.
That level of activity in coverage doesn’t happen by accident.
Comparisons to players like Dyami Brown-who’s never cracked 400 receiving yards in a season-only highlight the oddity of Taylor’s exclusion. Brown has flashed potential, sure, but he hasn’t had the consistent on-field impact that Taylor has managed, even in a down year.
As for the Saints’ other free agents, Davis and Jordan are right where you’d expect them to be. Both are aging, but they’ve still got something left in the tank.
Davis continues to be a tone-setter in the middle of the defense, while Jordan remains a savvy, productive edge presence even as his snap count gets more carefully managed. Their rankings reflect a balance between past production and current value.
Foster Moreau’s inclusion is a bit more curious. After a relatively quiet 2025 campaign, his spot at the very end of the list raises some eyebrows. Still, his 2024 season offered glimpses of what he can bring as a reliable depth piece at tight end, especially in run-blocking and short-yardage situations.
Ultimately, Taylor’s absence from the list isn’t likely to impact his market too much-teams watch film, not just rankings. But it does raise questions about how some players are being evaluated heading into free agency.
For the Saints, the decision on Taylor will be one of several pivotal calls this offseason. If he walks, they’ll need to find a way to replace his production and potential.
If they bring him back, it’ll be a bet on continued growth and consistency from a player who’s shown he can make plays when it matters.