Former Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor is officially moving on from the New Orleans Saints and is expected to generate plenty of buzz when the NFL free agency period kicks off next week.
Taylor, who played at Tennessee from 2018 to 2021, confirmed his departure from the Saints in a brief but heartfelt social media post this week. “New Orleans – thank you for letting me shine in ‘The Big Easy’ ⚜️ – UNO ✌🏽🙏🏽,” he wrote, signaling the end of his three-year stint with the team that selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
The former Vol is coming off what many consider a career-best season in 2025, especially when measured by advanced analytics. That strong performance has positioned him as one of the more intriguing defensive backs available on the open market.
Not everyone is fully convinced, however. ESPN’s Seth Walder recently labeled Taylor one of the most “overrated” free agents this offseason, cautioning teams about buying in after a single standout year.
“I expect Taylor to get paid after coming off a legitimately nice season and at a time when nickel corners are increasingly valuable,” Walder wrote. “But he has the profile of a player who scares me. Corners are notoriously volatile year to year, so I’m always a little wary of buying in after a big season.”
Walder pointed to inconsistency in Taylor’s performance over the years. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Taylor allowed 1.6 yards per coverage snap in 2023 while playing primarily in the slot—well above the 1.1 league average. In 2024, after moving to the outside, he again gave up 1.6 yards per coverage snap. His breakout came in 2025 after shifting back to the nickel position, where he allowed just 1.0 yards per coverage snap and posted strong defensive metrics.
“Which level of performance is most likely to be the outlier?” Walder asked. “I think there’s an awfully good chance it’s 2025.”
While it’s fair to question whether Taylor can sustain that level of play, labeling him “overrated” may be a stretch. He delivered when it mattered last season and deserves recognition for that performance. Whether he can replicate it will ultimately depend on fit, scheme, and opportunity—factors that remain unknown until he lands with a new team.
For his part, Taylor has no doubt about where he stands among this year’s free agent class.
“I’m one of the best free agent players coming out,” Taylor told SiriusXM NFL Radio recently. “I definitely feel like I’m the best free agent corner coming out. Just that versatility. Being able to play inside, play outside, and be able to help any team at whatever they need.”
He added that he believes he can step in as a CB1 for a team, or slide into the slot to cover top receivers when needed. “I feel like I bring a lot of attributes to the table… I do feel like I’m one of those best guys available. And I feel like a lot of teams out there feel the same way.”
With free agency just days away, it won’t be long before Taylor finds out just how many teams agree.
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