Former Tennessee Vols standout agrees to free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans
Another former Vol got paid on Monday as NFL free agency is underway.
Make that two former Tennessee Vols who got PAID on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, former Vols offensive lineman Cade Mays agreed to a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions worth $25 million.
A few hours later, former Vols defensive back Alontae Taylor agreed to a deal with the Tennessee Titans.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Taylor’s deal with the Titans is worth $60 million over three years with $42 million in guaranteed money.
Taylor, a second round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft, is a Tennessee native, so this move serves as a homecoming for the former Vol.
Alontae Taylor should still have plenty of motivation to perform at a high level
Fans shouldn’t expect Taylor to get complacent just because he signed a big contract.
Taylor, in fact, received some added motivation this past weekend when he was labeled by ESPN as one of this offseason’s most overrated free agents.
“I expect Taylor to get paid after coming off a legitimately nice season and at a time when nickel corners are increasingly valuable,” wrote ESPN’s Seth Walder. “But he has the profile of a player who scares me. Corners are notoriously volatile year to year, so I’m always a little wary of buying in after a big season.
“That’s particularly true in Taylor’s case. Taylor allowed 1.6 yards per coverage snap in 2023 primarily playing slot corner, per NFL Next Gen Stats, which is much worse than the 1.1 average. In 2024, this time playing primarily outside, Taylor again surrendered 1.6 yards per coverage snap. Taylor had his breakout last season after moving back to the nickel, with 1.0 yards per coverage snap and minus-1.4 EPA allowed after positive numbers (which indicate worse performance) the two prior seasons. Which level of performance is most likely to be the outlier? I think there’s an awfully good chance it’s 2025.”
Taylor is an elite competitor and I’m sure he’ll be eager to prove ESPN wrong.
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