It can be tough to identify the bright spots on the New Orleans Saints defense after their unexpected 2-5 start. Especially within the secondary, which has thus far led the unit to the NFL’s No. 31 ranking in points allowed per game (28.5). But rookie cornerback Alontae Taylor found a way to shine through in his first start on Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals. The former Tennessee Volunteer was placed on injured reserve after sustaining an injury in practice following the Saints’ Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, Taylor saw his first career action, but his first start wouldn’t come until he was activated off of injured reserve last week.
Buy Saints TicketsAgainst the Cardinals, Taylor was targeted five times in coverage against four different pass catchers. Those players included veteran tight end Zach Ertz, speedy wideout Robbie Anderson, explosive playmaker Rondale Moore and a future Hall of Famer in DeAndre Hopkins. From those five targets, Taylor allowed only 1 catch for 17 yards and a 41.3 passer rating. He was also responsible for a 20% forced incompletion rate.
Some good #Saints news:
Rookie CB Alontae Taylor covered 4 different receivers, targeted 5 times and allowed just 1 catch for 17 yards. 41.3 passer rating allowed and 20% forced incompletion rate.
G Caesar Ruiz was outstanding in run and pass pro, allowed just one pressure.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) October 21, 2022
Further context on a pair of the targets shows just how important Taylor’s play was in his stellar debut. On the first, he was matched up with Hopkins, who was playing his first game since returning from a 6-game suspension after violating the league’s performance enhancing drug policy. On the rep, Taylor immediately got his hands on Hopkins as he released from the line of scrimmage. The two remained in contact all the way through quarterback Kyler Murray’s passing attempt falling incomplete. Taylor showed absolutely no fear in locking horns with one of the NFL’s best right off the bat. The incompletion ended Arizona’s drive, forcing them to settle for a field goal.
The Saints corner made himself known around the team facility for being very physical. He earned the title “public enemy No. 1 in one-on-ones” from New Orleans wide receiver coach Kodi Burns throughout the offseason. That was on full display as Taylor went mano a mano Hopkins, cutting short the Cardinals’ opening drive.
It’s arguable that that play could have drawn an offensive pass interference penalty by Hopkins as he grabbed on to Taylor at the top of the route. While that wasn’t flagged, No. 27 came right back the next drive and used his physicality to draw a yellow flag on Moore.
With the Saints up 7-3 and Arizona driving, Taylor again found himself the target on a third down. This time though, it was a fade route to Moore. The former Purdue Boilermaker may be 5-foot-7, but he’s an explosive weapon and one the Cardinals love to target. Again, Taylor remained physical and in solid position as the pass sailed his way. He was blanketed over Moore, forcing the receiver to push him away in an attempt to make the catch in the back of the endzone. Not only did that push draw a pass interference penalty, but Moore also couldn’t secure the catch. Taylor’s play put the Saints in position to decline the penalty, take the third down incompletion and force another field goal from Arizona kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.
During head coach Dennis Allen’s day-after conference call, Mike Triplet of NewOrleans.Football asked him how he felt about Taylor’s performance. “I really liked what I saw out of him,” Allen said. “I saw a guy that freaking fought and competed on every single play. And that’s really what we base what we do here defensively around is guys fighting and competing. And I thought he challenged on every single play.”
Allen was clearly pleased with Taylor’s performance Thursday night. He even took the time to acknowledge that despite him not winning every rep, giving up a 17-yard completion to Hopkins on a comeback, that his competitiveness was the biggest takeaway. That completion was just as much about a great throw and catch as it was about Taylor’s coverage anyway. With Murray taking the snap from the shotgun and rolling Hopkins’ way, the two were operating on timing as Hopkins pushed upfield before reversing course toward the sideline. Murray threw a great pass, releasing before Hopkins was out of his break, allowing him to come back and make the catch.
On an earlier play on which Taylor wasn’t targeted, he showed great speed and fluidity as he covered Ertz on an outside double move. Ertz released with a vertical push about 10 yards and then broke outside as if running an out route. Once Taylor committed to the break, Ertz then turned back upfield. When he did so, the Saints defensive back had no troubles flipping his hips and keeping pace with Ertz. Murray would eventually hit Moore for a 31-yard catch and run over the middle of the field, away from Taylor. But guess who hustled in to make the tackle. You guessed it, the second-round rookie.
Taylor’s performance was enough of a bright spot to ponder whether he’ll find himself more involved in the defense moving forward. He was given this start after cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo had been ruled out, though it seemed likely he’d have seen a heavy amount of snaps even if Adebo had played. With those players ideally on the mend for the Saints and Roby now dealing with an ankle injury, it’s no mystery that more opportunities can and should be allotted. “So I was impressed with his performance,” Allen said. “And certainly, if he stays healthy, I see him being a part of what we’re trying to do moving forward.”
