Former Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor has officially been selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 49th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Taylor was selected with the 17th pick of the second round.
With the selection, Taylor now becomes Tennessee’s first player to be drafted this year. In addition, Taylor now becomes the sixth active player on the New Orleans Saints roster. The Saints also have former Vols Alvin Kamara, Marquez Callaway, Bryce Thompson, Shy Tuttle, and Ethan Wolf.
“Taylor primarily lined up at corner at Tennessee, but he’s versatile enough to play safety, and the Saints may play him there,” ESPN’s Eddie Muench wrote on Friday night. “Marcus Williams signed with the Ravens, free-agent signing Marcus Maye is coming off an Achilles injury and Malcolm Jenkins retired. Taylor should also make an immediate impact on special-teams.”
By the end of Taylor’s four-year career in Knoxville, the middle-Tennessee native was a fan favorite among Vol Nation. Few will forget screaming, “Cookies!” following a Taylor interception during his final season.
“I feel like I gave my all to the University of Tennessee football program but also just the University of Tennessee,” Taylor said in a draft special from Tennessee Athletics.
This is what it’s all about@taeetaylor ➡️ @Saints #NFLDraft #GBO pic.twitter.com/OqbkxH4Yl9
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 30, 2022
First stop ➡️ Neyland
Next stop ➡️ @NFL@taeetaylor#GBO pic.twitter.com/sYWABeT4YF— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 15, 2022
Taylor finished his career at Tennessee with 162 total tackles – 115 solo and 47 assisted. In addition, Taylor also hauled in four interceptions over the course of his four years, with his first touchdown coming in 2021 against Kentucky.
In addition to Tennessee’s Pro Day in Knoxville this spring, Taylor was invited out to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Taylor’s raw speed was on full display as the former Volunteer ran a 4.36 40-yard-dash, which was good for the 14th fastest time among all players at the workout.
The New Orleans Saints finished the 2021 season second in the NFC South with an overall record of 9-8.
Congratulations @taeetaylor !! Can’t wait to see you ball on Sundays!!#GBO pic.twitter.com/JJqHZbWltQ
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) April 30, 2022
With the 49th pick of the #NFLDraft, the #Saints select Tennessee CB Alontae Taylor!#SaintsDraft⚜️ @CoxComm pic.twitter.com/h8HLrJ6CXQ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 30, 2022
