Alontae Taylor is making a homecoming to Tennessee, signing with the Titans on a three-year, $60 million deal, $42 million of which is guaranteed. This move brings the Manchester, TN native back to his roots, where he first made waves playing college football for the University of Tennessee from 2018 to 2021. After four solid seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Taylor is set to join the Titans under the guidance of new head coach Robert Salah.
Taylor was a hot commodity in the free-agent market, widely regarded as the top cornerback available and among the Top 10 players overall. His swift signing at the start of free agency was no surprise.
Expert opinions on Taylor's deal are varied. The Athletic's Mike Jones and Daniel Popper are enthusiastic, awarding an ‘A’ grade.
They highlight Taylor’s versatility, noting his ability to cover both the slot and the outside. His impressive 52 pass breakups since 2022 rank fourth in the NFL.
Fox Sports, with contributions from Ben Arthur, Ralph Vacchiano, Eric Williams, and Henry McKenna, gives a collective ‘B’ grade to the Titans' moves on day one, including Taylor’s signing. They point out that Tennessee committed $74 million fully guaranteed between Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott, a significant investment given their $90 million cap space. This underscores the urgency to revamp their cornerback lineup, especially after past challenges like the L’Jarius Sneed deal.
On the other hand, ESPN’s Seth Walder offers a more cautious take, giving the Titans a ‘C-‘. He argues that Taylor’s $20 million annual salary is steep, especially for a player without a long track record of consistent eligibility. Walder acknowledges Taylor’s strong season in New Orleans but is wary of the variance in his performance metrics over the past few years.
Despite the mixed reviews, Taylor is expected to be a valuable addition to Tennessee’s revamped defense. His journey began as a four-star recruit at the University of Tennessee, where he played 45 games, starting 31, and amassed impressive stats, including 162 tackles and four interceptions.
Drafted in the second round by the Saints in 2022, Taylor quickly became a cornerstone of their secondary, appearing in 64 games with 53 starts. His tenure in New Orleans saw him rack up 293 tackles, four interceptions, and seven sacks, showcasing his prowess on the field.
As Taylor returns to Tennessee, fans will be eager to see how his talents bolster the Titans' defense and contribute to their success in the coming seasons.