Alontae Taylor is setting up to be one of the biggest battles during New Orleans Saints training camp. What happens to the player who loses that battle has been a big question as well. With Adebo and Marshon Lattimore absent from practice on Tuesday, Taylor moved to the slot when the defense shifted to its nickel personnel. Many thought this might have been Taylor’s future after trading C.J. Gardner Johnson a year ago.
This sets up for you to potentially see Lattimore, Adebo, and Taylor together on the field. Taylor playing on the inside doesn’t necessarily point to Adebo winning the battle for outside corner. Taylor can slide into the slot for three-corner personnel groupings even if he wins the battle to start.
The problem with this plan is Bradley Roby is already expected to take that role. Roby missed practice on Tuesday which was a big reason Taylor played on the inside at practice, though Sports Illustrated’s John Hendrix reports this has been a part of the plan. If Roby misses more time, Taylor could continue to see more reps at slot corner. Strong performances could lead to consideration of Taylor continuing to get slot reps even when Roby returns.
Lattimore is secure in his spot as the team’s top cornerback. Adebo and Taylor are expected to fight for that other outside corner spot. That still could be true, but getting all three on the field at once is still in play. The decision could come down to how they value Taylor at outside cornerback versus slot cornerback in nickel situations and Taylor versus Roby just as much as it comes down to Taylor versus Adebo.
