BREAKING NEWS: New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor expects to showcase versatility in Brandon Staley defense to be the next new…see more

With the arrival of defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, expectations are shifting fast in the New Orleans Saints’ secondary — and cornerback Alontae Taylor is ready to seize the moment. In a bold statement during OTAs this week, Taylor declared his intention to “be the next new-age defensive star” in Staley’s complex, positionless scheme.

Drafted in the second round in 2022, Taylor has shown flashes of lockdown potential, but the 2024 season could be his breakout year as he prepares to take on a hybrid role in Staley’s system, which famously blurs the lines between corner, safety, and slot responsibilities.

“Coach Staley’s defense is about versatility and IQ,” Taylor told reporters. “That’s me all day. I’m not just trying to fit in — I’m trying to be the next big thing. The next Derwin, the next Jalen. Whatever the team needs, I’m ready.”

Taylor’s mention of Derwin James and Jalen Ramsey, two of Staley’s former do-it-all defensive weapons, wasn’t lost on analysts — and it signals how the young corner sees himself evolving. Coaches reportedly love Taylor’s physicality, communication, and ability to play inside or outside, all essential traits in Staley’s match-zone-heavy approach.

“Alontae’s got the tools to do something special in this scheme,” Staley said earlier this week. “We’re going to put him in positions where he can be aggressive and instinctive — that’s when he’s at his best.”

The Saints are in the midst of a defensive retooling after an inconsistent 2023 campaign, and Taylor’s rise could be a cornerstone in that process. If he delivers, he could become a national name — and help redefine what it means to be a cornerback in the modern NFL.

More updates to come as training camp approaches.