Dallas Cowboys’ expected free agent target confirms suspicion days before leaguewide frenzy begins
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be in the mix for the 27-year-old cornerback, and he’s making it clear he’s hitting free agency.
There are a lot of directions the Dallas Cowboys can take in free agency when the negotiating period kicks off Monday at noon ET. But you can expect them to target the cornerback position one way or another.
One of their expected targets is New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor, according to NFL insider Albert Breer.
On Friday, Taylor sent a message on social media confirming suspicions that he will be available when free agency frenzy starts.
Taylor bids Saints adieu
In a short but telling message through X (formerly Twitter), Taylor wrote: “New Orleans – thank you for letting me shine in ‘The Big Easy’.
The Saints’ rebuild efforts and complicated salary cap situation already suggested they wouldn’t extend Taylor before free agency, but the player’s good-bye confirms he’s testing the market.
Expect the Cowboys to keep tabs on the 27-year old cornerback with 64 career starts under his belt. And if they land him, expect him to be a starter with the position flexibility that new defensive Christian Parker will love.
Taylor is a Top 30 free agent this year
The Saints cornerback ranks 29th in A to Z Sports’ Top 100 free agents, and his physicality and speed are big reasons why.
“Taylor’s a physical playmaker who would bring plenty of speed into any team’s secondary,” writes AJ Schulte. “While he might not be a true CB1, he can be a strong partner to a top coverage option and give a defensive coordinator some freedom with his inside-outside versatility.”
Cowboys need multiple cornerbacks
Taylor’s flexibility would serve the Cowboys’ needs for a simple reason: They need outside and inside cornerbacks alike.
DaRon Bland recently underwent his second foot surgery in two years, Shavon Revel Jr. is big question mark ahead of his first full offseason, and who knows who will be there when the Cowboys pick No. 12 or No. 20 in April—heck, who knows if they’ll hold those picks.
Taylor wouldn’t be the biggest bet of the Cowboys’ offseason, but signing him would be a savvy move.