Alontae Taylor enters free agency, leaving New Orleans Saints. [Image Source: ATOZSPORTS]
Alontae Taylor, one of the New Orleans Saints’ most notable upcoming free agents, will enter free agency next week without re-signing with the team. Known for his potential to perform as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, Taylor has also displayed some inconsistency in his play, making his future with the Saints uncertain as the offseason begins.
Alontae Taylor’s Departure from New Orleans
Having been a vital part of the Saints’ defense in recent years, Taylor officially said farewell to the city that drafted him. Last season, he played 1,056 snaps, which ranked as the fourth-highest snap count for a cornerback in the entire league. His presence was a key component of the Saints’ secondary.
New Orleans – thank you for letting me shine in
“The Big Easy
⚜️ UNO ✌🏽🙏🏽”
— Taylor via X/Twitter
Top Prospects to Replace Taylor in the 2026 NFL Draft
Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds as a Promising Candidate
D’Angelo Ponds showed immense promise last season as a defensive back for Indiana, rapidly improving his draft prospects. Although he stands at just 5’9” and weighs 170 pounds, positions aligning with a slot cornerback role, Ponds’s ability to cover receivers and force turnovers could make him an excellent fit for the Saints’ upcoming secondary rebuild.
‘D’Angelo Ponds is another one,’ Brugler told A to Z Sports.
And that’s one I wouldn’t say that I was early on it. It took me a little bit to get there, just to get past the size. Sure. The size is the size. He’s not going to gain bigger. But the competitor that he is, the way he plays, I just find myself just more and more thinking like this guy, I’ll bet on him every time.’
— Ryan Roberts
Image of: Alontae Taylor
Keith Abney from Arizona State’s Versatility
Keith Abney, cornerback for Arizona State, provides an attractive blend of size and flexibility, able to play both inside and outside roles in the defense. His aggressive style mirrors some aspects of Taylor’s game, suggesting that Abney could transition smoothly into the Saints’ system.
Abney is one of the more complete cornerback packages in this years’ draft class. An extremely versatile player, Abney’s stickiness in coverage and excellent tracking skills will allow him to play at both positions at the next level. His habit of grabbing on to receivers in man coverage will cause issues at the next level, but if Abney is able to refine his technique, he has the ability to be one of the most plug and play prospects in the class.
— JT Ruhnke
Chandler Rivers’ Emerging Potential from Duke
While Chandler Rivers has stayed off the radar for many in this draft cycle, his competitive spirit and ball skills stand out. At 5’10” and 185 pounds, Rivers shows physicality uncommon for his size and can operate effectively both inside and outside in coverage. His agility, reaction time, and capacity to bait quarterbacks make him a versatile defensive back who could gain a starting role in the pros.
He’s a smaller prospect at 5-10, 185 pounds, but he doesn’t play like it as a physical defender. He’s sticky in coverage and competitive at the catch point. His ability to change direction and react on a play stands out, and baits quarterbacks to throw it in his direction. Rivers has inside and outside versatility and can plug into many different schemes with a starting role.
— Josh Taylor
Saints’ Offseason Strategy and Free Agency Moves
As the 2026 NFL free agency period begins, New Orleans appears poised to make impactful decisions in shaping their roster. The team’s approach will likely focus on supplementing the defensive backfield to adjust for Taylor’s departure, alongside other moves aimed at advancing head coach Kellen Moore’s vision for the team. The draft and free agency signings will both play key roles in the Saints’ attempts to fortify their defense heading into next season.
The uncertainty surrounding Alontae Taylor’s next destination adds intensity to the Saints’ offseason, as his role and departure represent a significant gap to fill. How the franchise handles these free agency dynamics will have a lasting effect on their defensive strategy going forward.
