Former Vols DB Alontae Taylor to meet with AFC Super Bowl contender ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft
Tennessee Vols defensive back Alontae Taylor is hoping to hear his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft later this month. Taylor, who ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine, is currently being projected as a mid-round pick, likely as a safety (Taylor played cornerback at Tennessee). According to NFL […]
Tennessee Vols defensive back Alontae Taylor is hoping to hear his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft later this month.
Taylor, who ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine, is currently being projected as a mid-round pick, likely as a safety (Taylor played cornerback at Tennessee).
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, Taylor is set to meet this week with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals would make a lot of sense as a landing spot for Taylor.
Cincinnati currently has Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell as their starting safeties.
Bell, however, is a free agent after the 2022 season.
And then there's the whole situation with Bates. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Bates earlier this offseason. Cincinnati's plan has been to extend Bates, but those negotiations have been happening since last summer with little to no progress made. At this point, it feels like Bates' long-term future isn't with the Bengals.
Drafting Taylor in the fourth round could be a great way to add some safety depth for this season and then move the former Vol standout into a starting role in 2023.
Lots of teams will be interested in Taylor thanks to his elite speed. In fact, we could actually see Taylor's draft stock rise a bit over the next couple of weeks.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
