Former Tennessee Vols cornerback Alontae Taylor has had a strong start to his NFL career. The VFL has been a key part of the New Orleans Saints’ defense over the past four years since they took him the second round (49th overall pick) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Now, it appears as though the former Vol could be in line for a big contract in free agency. ESPN put out a list of its top 25 free agents for 2026, and Taylor checked in at #11 on the list among all players and the top cornerback.
This is what Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler had to say about Taylor:
“What he brings: Taylor’s versatility and urgent play style shows on tape. He has the speed to cover on the perimeter, but he can also play a disruptive role in the slot. In four seasons with the Saints, Taylor has 3 interceptions, 37 pass breakups and 6 sacks.” via Matt Bowen, ESPN.com
“What we’re hearing: Taylor gets the edge as the top corner based on teams consulted for this exercise. He has good size (6 feet, 199 pounds) with the flexibility to play inside and out. The Saints and Taylor once discussed an extension, but a deal never happened, which made him a trade candidate at last week’s deadline. The Bears and Colts showed interest. As a reference point, the top 2025 free agent corners earned about $18 million per year on new deals.” – Via Jeremy Fowler, ESPN.com
Taylor has been a steady starter for the Saints over the last four seasons, but he’s provided something that teams covet and seems to be tougher to find nowadays: availability. Taylor appeared in 13 games during his rookie season in 2022 and has appeared in all 34 games from 2023-24 and all 10 games thus far in 2025.
The former Vol should be a hot commodity on the free agent market next season with his ability to play on the boundary or in the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor has played almost an even split in snaps between the nickel cornerback position (1385) and on the outside (1501). That flexibility should be a big added bonus for him as he seeks a new deal from what should be a number of interested suitors.
It’s always a great thing to see former Vols performing well and being rewarded for it, and it looks like Taylor will be the next to see that happen.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo has opened up about his growing frustration with star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who has been outspoken in recent weeks about his lack of involvement in the offense. Brown, who has been one of the league’s top playmakers, has expressed disappointment over his limited role in certain games, leading to tension between the two.
Patullo, who has been instrumental in shaping the Eagles’ offense, addressed the situation publicly, acknowledging the challenges of keeping everyone involved and satisfied in a high-powered offense. “It’s frustrating,” Patullo said. “A.J. is an incredible player, and we all know that. But there’s a process, and not everything is going to go the way he wants it every week. We have to find a balance, and sometimes that means adapting to the defense and what’s working for the team as a whole.”
“The Balance of the Offense”
While Patullo emphasized that Brown’s talent is undeniable, he also pointed out the challenges of balancing the offensive attack in a system that relies on multiple weapons. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can make plays, and sometimes that means one guy might not get the number of touches he’s used to,” Patullo explained. “We try to spread the ball around, and sometimes that leads to frustration when certain guys aren’t getting the ball enough.”
Brown, who has been a focal point of the Eagles’ offense since his arrival, has made it clear in interviews that he expects to be involved more, especially in key moments. However, Patullo’s frustration stems from what he sees as an overemphasis on individual success rather than team success. “We’re not here to cater to one player’s desires,” Patullo said. “It’s about winning games, and that’s the bottom line. We can’t let any frustration take away from the goal we’re all working towards.”
“Keeping the Team in Sync”
Patullo’s comments reveal the complexities of managing a high-caliber offense with multiple star players. The Eagles’ offense has been highly productive, but with so many weapons at quarterback Jalen Hurts’ disposal — including Brown, DeVonta Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert — it’s inevitable that some players will feel their roles are not as prominent as they’d like.
For Patullo, keeping the offense in sync and focused on winning has been his primary objective. “I’m the one who has to make sure the offense stays balanced,” Patullo said. “That’s my job. If A.J. isn’t happy with his role right now, that’s something we need to address internally. But at the end of the day, we need to be about what works for the team, and if that means making sure the offense doesn’t rely too much on one guy, then so be it.”
“Moving Forward”
Despite the tension, Patullo is committed to finding ways to involve Brown more in the offense without losing the balance that has made the Eagles so successful. “I’m not saying we don’t need A.J. — we absolutely do,” Patullo added. “But we have to make sure we’re not forcing the ball to one guy at the expense of what’s working for the team.”
As the Eagles look ahead to the second half of the season, Patullo’s challenge will be to keep the offense firing on all cylinders while maintaining harmony among his star players. Brown, for his part, has continued to focus on his role and keep his frustrations in check, understanding that the ultimate goal is team success.
“Team First”
“We’re all in this together,” Patullo said. “A.J. knows that. He wants to win, and he knows he’s a big part of this offense. But we also know that success isn’t just about one guy. It’s about getting everyone involved and doing what’s best for the team.”
With tensions mounting, Patullo’s ability to manage this situation will be key to the Eagles’ playoff hopes. If he can keep Brown and the rest of the offense engaged while maintaining the team’s focus, the Eagles could be primed for another deep playoff run.