Alontae Taylor has recorded a 20.2% missed tackle rate this season, the only defender with 100 or more tackle attempts with a missed tackle rate greater than 20%.

Logs career highs in 2024

Taylor totaled 89 tackles (61 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and 16 pass breakups across 17 regular-season appearances with the Saints in 2024.

Analysis: Taylor's production continued to ascend during his third season with the Saints, as he tallied career highs in tackles, sacks and passes defended. The 2022 second-round pick also finished third on the team in tackles behind linebackers Demario Davis (136) and Pete Werner (92). Taylor's emergence as one of the best up-and-coming players on the Saints' defense should set him up for a prominent role in 2025, which will also be the final season of his rookie contract.

Impresses in Week 11

Taylor recorded eight total tackles (five solo) and two passes defended in Sunday's 35-14 win over the Browns.

Analysis: The third-year pro from Tennessee has capitalized on increased opportunities since Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was traded to Washington in early November, recording 17 total tackles and two passes defended in the Saints' last two contests. Taylor now leads New Orleans' defense in passes defended (12) and tackles for loss (seven) through the team's first 11 games. He's expected to continue making plays when the Saints host the Rams in Week 13.

Makes nine stops in Week 10

Taylor totaled nine tackles (seven solo) against Atlanta in Sunday's 20-17 victory.

Analysis: Taylor tied for second on the Saints in tackles behind Demario Davis, who made 10 stops. The nine tackles by Taylor tied the season-high mark he first established in Week 2 against Dallas. Taylor is having a strong season with 58 tackles (42 solo), including a career-high 4.0 sacks, 10 defensed passes and two forced fumbles through 10 games.

Will play Thursday

Taylor (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's walkthrough but carries no injury designation into Thursday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Taylor injured his shoulder during Sunday's 51-27 loss to the Buccaneers. Even with the Saints on a short week, the injury doesn't appear severe enough for the 2022 second-round pick to carry an injury tag into Thursday's contest. Through the first six games of the regular season, Taylor has logged 35 tackles (26 solo), including 3.5 sacks, five passes defended and two forced fumbles.

Sustains shoulder injury

Taylor (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.

Analysis: It appears Taylor picked up a shoulder injury in the Saints' Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers, despite playing 54 defensive snaps and recording six total tackles and one pass defended. If the third-year cornerback is unable to suit up for Thursday night's matchup against the Broncos, expect rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry to see increased work with the Saints' first-team defense.

Practices in full Thursday

Taylor (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Analysis: Taylor didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, but his return to Thursday's session without limitations indicates he should be good to go for Week 4 against the Falcons. Through three games this season, Taylor has registered 20 tackles (14 solo), including 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

Pops up on injury report

Taylor (illness) was a DNP for Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Taylor is now dealing with an illness, which could limit his practice participation over the coming week. The 2022 second-round pick has accrued 19 tackles (14 solo), including 3.5 sacks, and one pass defended over the first three games of the regular season.

Top tackler in win

Taylor logged nine total tackles (eight solo), including two tackles for loss, during Sunday's 44-19 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Taylor's impressive start to the 2024 season continued Sunday, as the third-year cornerback has now recorded 15 total tackles, including 3.0 sacks, and defended one pass across New Orleans' first two contests. He led the Saints in total tackles in Week 2 and helped New Orleans' defense hold Dallas under 20 points, something that has happened just three times over the Cowboys' last 18 regular-season contests. Expect Taylor to continue being a difference maker on the Saints' defense heading into…read more

Notches three sacks from secondary

Taylor recorded a career-high three sacks among his six total tackles and also broke up a pass in Sunday's 47-10 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Heading into Sunday, Taylor had notched just one sack over his first 30 NFL games, but Saints head coach and defensive play caller Dennis Allen dialed up blitzes from the third-year slot corner early and often. Taylor made most of his pass rushes and became the first player designated as a cornerback to record three sacks in a single game, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. The 25-year-old shouldn't be expected to come close to replicating his Week 1 performance over the rest of the…read more

Performs well in new role

Across 17 games in the 2023 regular season, Taylor tallied 75 tackles, including one sack, and 14 passes defended with two interceptions.

Analysis: Taylor transitioned to a new role this season as the Saints' primary nickel back, and the move appeared to pay off for team and player alike. The 2022 second-round pick logged a career-high in tackles along with his first NFL sack. He also nabbed the first two interceptions of his career over the final two games of the regular season, finishing tied for second on the team in passes defended behind fellow cornerback Paulson Adebo (18). Taylor has two seasons remaining on his four-year, $7.2…read more

Gets first career INT in win

Taylor registered four tackles (three solo) and one interception in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Taylor picked off Baker Mayfield on a pass intended for Trey Palmer early in the second quarter. It was Taylor's first interception of his two-year career and he played every defensive snap for the third time in four games. The 2022 second-round pick out of Tennessee has 74 tackles (55 solo), including 1.0 sack, 13 passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble over 16 games this season.

Will play Sunday

Taylor (hip) is active for Sunday's contest against the Colts, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Analysis: Taylor was a limited participant in practice both Thursday and Friday after popping up on the injury report with a hip injury. He's operated as the nickel cornerback behind starters Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo and will be crucial in limiting the Colts' passing attack in Week 8.

Dealing with hip injury

Taylor (hip) is questionable to play against the Colts on Sunday in Week 8.

Analysis: Taylor first popped up on the injury report when he logged a limited practice session Thursday, and he followed that with another limited session Friday. The second-year pro has logged at least 60 percent of the Saints' defensive snaps in each game so far this season, so his potential absence would certainly be felt. If Taylor does sit out Sunday, Isaac Yiadom could see more work.

Stands out on defense Week 3

Taylor tallied five tackles (all solo), including one sack, and notched five pass defenses Sunday in a Week 3 loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Taylor picked up his first NFL sack in the second quarter, taking down Jordan Love on a third-down play for a 14-yard loss. His most impressive feat, however, was his racking up five pass defenses throughout the contest, and he now leads the league in that category with seven on the campaign. Taylor has also posted 14 tackles through three games, with four of them going for a loss.

Role likely solidified

Taylor will likely operate as the team's slot corner this season, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Analysis: Taylor was believed to be in competition with Bradley Roby for the role, but with Roby's announced release Tuesday, it appears the Tennessee product won the job. Taylor appeared in 13 contests for New Orleans in his rookie season after being selected in the second round of the 2022 Draft, and compiled 46 combined tackles and 11 passes defended.

Trending up in preseason

Taylor's stock is trending up following the Saints' 26-24 preseason win over the Chiefs on Sunday, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.

Analysis: Taylor recorded two tackles in Sunday's contest, but his biggest impact came when he deflected a pass near the end of the first half, resulting in an interception for safety Ugo Amadi. The second-year cornerback still didn't have the cleanest game, however, as he was also beaten in coverage by Chiefs' wideout Richie James for a 43-yard completion earlier in the second quarter. Taylor figures to continue competing with longtime veteran Bradley Roby for the third cornerback spot behind Marshon…read more

Participating in team drills

Taylor (hamstring) has returned to team drills at practice, Todd Graffagnini of the Saints' official website reports.

Analysis: Taylor was nursing a hamstring issue at the start of camp, but it appears he has put that issue behind him. The second-year cornerback tallied 46 tackles (37 solo) and 11 passes defensed across 13 games (nine starts) during his rookie campaign in 2022.

Leaves practice

Taylor (hamstring) left camp after suffering a hamstring injury Wednesday, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com reports.

Analysis: The Saints' second-year cornerback will miss some time after coming up with a hamstring injury during camp, but the injury isn't too serious according to head coach Dennis Allen. Last season, Taylor had a great rookie campaign for New Orleans, tallying 11 pass breakups and 46 tackles in his nine starts. Expect him to immediately slot back into the starting defense once he's healthy.

Logging slot snaps

Taylor is taking snaps in the slot during mandatory minicamp this week, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

Analysis: Taylor stepped into a significant starting role during his rookie season last year while Marshon Lattimore tended to an abdomen injury. However, with Lattimore now healthy, Taylor is working to lock down a role as the team's third cornerback. The Tennessee product recorded 46 tackles and 11 passes defended in 2022.

Answers the bell in 2022

Taylor recorded 46 tackles (39 solo) and 11 passes defended over 13 games in the 2022 season.

Analysis: Taylor served as a core special-teamer over the first two weeks of the season before landing on IR with a knee injury for the following four games. Once he returned ahead of Week 7, the rookie second-rounder had to immediately step into a starting role with top cornerback Marshon Lattimore sidelined for 10 games by an abdomen injury. As a result, Taylor played at least 85 percent of defensive snaps in all but two of the final 11 games. Taylor also paced the team's banged-up secondary in passes…read more

Restored to active roster

The Saints activated Taylor (knee) from injured reserve ahead of Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Analysis: Taylor was designated to return to practice Tuesday after sitting out the last four weeks on New Orleans' IR with a knee injury. Now, the second-round rookie will be available to play at the earliest possible opportunity. Taylor defended one pass while seeing the first defensive snaps of his career in Week 2 against Tampa Bay, and he could see a prominent reserve role with starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) out and Paulson Adebo (knee) questionable for Thursday's contest versus…read more

Returns to practice

Taylor (knee) was designated to return from IR on Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Analysis: Taylor has missed the minimum four weeks since going on injured reserve Sept. 24. The rookie now has a three-week window to practice with the team before needing to be placed on the 53-man roster again. Considering the Saints play on Thursday against the Cardinals, it is unlikely he'll play, but he could return in Week 8 against the Raiders.

Heads to IR with knee injury

New Orleans placed Taylor (knee) on its injured reserve list Saturday.

Analysis: It's unclear when Taylor picked up the injury or how serious it is, pending further updates from the team. Regardless, the rookie cornerback will now have to miss at least the next four game weeks as he recovers. In the meantime, Marshon Lattimore and Bradley Roby will continue to shoulder the majority of the load at corner until Paulson Adebo (ankle) is ready to return to action.

Out for Week 3

Taylor (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Taylor popped up on the injury report Thursday as a limited participant and didn't practice Friday. The rookie third-round pick has played mostly on special teams, but he did play 18 defensive snaps in Week 2 after not seeing any during his NFL debut. His next chance to suit up will come in Week 4 against the Vikings.

Active against the Buccaneers

Taylor (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's matchup against Tampa Bay, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Analysis: Taylor played 28 special-teams snaps during his NFL debut last week. The rookie second-round pick will look to play a depth role for the Saints as Marshon Lattimore remains the team's No. 1 cornerback.