Latest news with #AlontaeTaylor
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Orleans Saints secondary barely avoids bottom 10 NFL unit ranking
The New Orleans Saints have had some major shakeups in the secondary compared to this point a year ago. Can this new unit find quick success together? Pro Football Focus' John Kosko recently put together a ranking of all 32 secondaries across the NFL. The Saints managed to escape the bottom 10, which is a rarity among these types of rankings. New Orleans' secondary was the No. 20 group in the league. They were the second-highest unit in the NFC South, finishing above the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers. Advertisement It is impressive that this group can remain as high as they are after losing both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo over the past year. They have used a mix of free agency and the draft to keep their defense afloat, though. The cornerback room is almost certainly going to be worse to start the year, but it's still an intriguing and young group with plenty of room to grow. Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alontae Taylor, Quincy Riley and Isaac Yiadom figure to be the main names at cornerback. McKinstry was a second-round selection in 2024, and Riley went in the fourth round of this past draft. Both should look completely different from Week 1 to the end of the season. McKinstry had some nice flashes as a rookie, giving him a nice set to build off of. Riley was a ball hawk in college, which could give him an edge in the passing game that New Orleans desperately needs. Taylor has been around for a couple of years longer, but there is a chance for him to bring his game up a notch in the Brandon Staley defense. He does a little bit of everything and could get moved around like a chess piece if they find a combination on the outside that works without him. Advertisement While their cornerback room should undergo some growing pains, it's hard to imagine a world where their safety room takes a step back. Tyrann Mathieu is still playing at a solid level, and they even brought in Justin Reid in free agency to pair with Mathieu. Just last year, Reid had 87 tackles with two interceptions, nine passes broken up and five tackles for a loss. Rookie safety Jonas Sanker is another player who can get moved around a lot in the secondary, as he played a bit of everything in college. It makes sense to be wary about this group, and No. 20 seems like a fair spot, but it could also be a surprisingly competent unit by the time the season ends. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints secondary barely avoids bottom 10 NFL unit ranking
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to Switch Jersey Number to No. 4
Saints Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry to Switch Jersey Number to No. 4 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A new look for the New Orleans Saints second-year cornerback. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is switching from jersey No. 14 to No. 4, per the team's website. Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (14) reacts after breaking up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Brad Penner-Imagn Images McKinstry first wore No. 34 during the offseason of his rookie year before switching to No. 14. It wasn't until veteran quarterback Derek Carr's retirement would officially go through that the second-year cornerback could make the switch to No. 4. McKinstry wore No. 1 throughout his high school and college career. Advertisement The move was highly anticipated by fans as many viewed the No. 4 as a better fit for the second-year defensive back. The reactions to the switch have been overwhelmingly positive with one fan saying "You best believe that's Kool-Aid #4 getting bought and FRAMED" The No. 4 is most often worn by kickers, punters, and quarterbacks but a recent rule change on jersey numbers in 2021 allowed skill position players to wear single-digit numbers. This rule change has seen a significant number of players opting to wear lower-digit numbers. Similarly to McKinstry, Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor made a switch from No. 27 to No. 1 during his sophomore season. There's plenty of pressure on McKinstry to take a significant jump as he enters his second season. New Orleans is hoping the former Alabama cornerback can cement himself as the team's starting outside corner. McKinstry had a positive showing during his rookie campaign, but plenty of growing pains appeared on tape. With the number switch, McKinstry's sophomore campaign could be seen as a clean slate with a new look. Advertisement Related: New Orleans Saints Lead NFL in Cap Space Gained After June 1st Roster Moves Related: New Orleans Saints 2025 Preseason Schedule: Dates, Times, and Matchups Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Saints share slick highlight reel from latest OTAs practice
Here's our latest look at the New Orleans Saints. The team shared a slick highlight reel from Tuesday's organized team activities practice session, which you can see here, featuring several players who figure to have critical roles for the Saints this year. "Money got made today, no cap," second-year wide receiver Bub Means said into the camera. Players are still practicing in helmets without shoulder pads, but this phase of the offseason ramps up contact to help them prepare for a grueling summer training camp. Advertisement It's good to see so many of them in attendance and hard at work. Not just rookies and young pros like quarterbacks Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, and Hunter Dekkers; but seasoned veterans got their reps in like Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and future Hall of Famer Cameron Jordan, entering his fifteenth year in black and gold. And some new faces are stepping up as vocal leaders. Cornerback Alontae Taylor addressed the huddle at the end of the session: "Hey good work first day boys, let's get in the classroom, learn from mistakes." It's just a shame this was only a one-minute clip. Fans will be in attendance at a couple of open practice dates in June, so hopefully the Saints will start to give greater access to the team and how they're working to get better. Coming off a five-win season and staring down a schedule lacking any prime-time games, they could use some positive buzz. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Bub Means, Alontae Taylor stand out in Saints' OTAs highlight reel
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alontae Taylor reflects on advising prospects at the HBCU Legacy Bowl
Alontae Taylor spent time with the athletes at the HBCU Legacy Bowl over the course of the week and reflected on his experience with New Orleans Saints team reporter Erin Summers. The Saints defensive back is in the position these prospects are aiming to be in, so he's more than qualified to give them advice. Prior to the practices for the all star game, the players went through the HBCU Combine. Alabama A&M offensive tackle Carson Vinson was the only HBCU player invited to the NFL Scouting Combine this year. This event allowed more HBCU players to go through the process in front of all 32 teams. This is where Taylor was able to give his advice. 'Being able to talk to them earlier in the week with Marcus and pick their brain and just teach them things that I've already been through that can help them in their combine experience.' Taylor understands the value of the game, as well as the combine, for these players. 'It's very important for them because they're getting an opportunity.' Every player in this game is competing for the chance to be drafted. The top players are looking to be drafted in the mid-to-late round rounds at best. Some of those players are fighting to be considered as an undrafted free agent option. That's part of what comes with being a small school prospect. Taylor was correct to point out 'there's a lot of great athletes in HBCUs that don't get the exposure,' and the Legacy Bowl lets them 'broadcast their talents in front of all 32 teams.'
