2022 NFL DRAFT PROSPECT REPORT
- Name: Alontae Taylor
- Position: Cornerback
- School: Tennessee
- Height: 6'0"
- Weight: 199lbs
Film Watched: Pitt 2021, South Alabama 2021, Missouri 2021
Pro's:
- Well muscled frame with good length – passes the NFL measurables test
- Aggressive at the line of scrimmage. Heavy pop to jam the receiver and get on top early in the route
- Lays the wood with his tackles
- Has good straight line speed, and can match deep threats stride for stride
- Excels in zone coverage, getting good depths to his dropbacks and comfortable manning his area
- Savvy with good anticipation – especially considering he’s only played the position four years
- Excellent click and close speed to come down and disrupt passes or undercut throwing lanes
- Competitive in every duty – relishes contributing in run defense and on special teams
Alontae Taylor is a CB prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.85 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 30 out of 1923 CB from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/uqXn04Jon7 #RAS pic.twitter.com/2bHv4tm90H
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 1, 2022
Con's:
- Not as agile as you’d hope for – struggles to keep close through sharp route breaks
- Clunky in his transitions in off-man coverage
- Elusive ball carriers can leave him stranded with quick cuts
- Questionable tackling technique – let’s too many slip out of his grasp
- A little slow to peel off his man and attack the football when thrown elsewhere
The Verdict:
“‘Competitive’ is an overused term in scouting circles, but Alontae Taylor is certainly worthy of the description; the former receiver only converted to cornerback upon arriving in Knoxville, but you wouldn’t know the lack of experience by watching the tape. Taylor plays with good instincts which is best appreciated in zone coverage, where he’s aware of the traffic around him and able to come down and make plays on the football. Fast but not the most fluid, Taylor brings his own values in man coverage when he’s able to get up in a receiver’s business early, but does give up separation the further a route develops. Taylor is a candidate for duties on all four special teams units which boosts his value, but he has the game to become a starting outside cornerback by the end of his rookie contract.”
Simon Carroll
Head Of NFL Draft Content
NFL COMPARISON: ELI APPLE
PREDICTION: 3RD ROUND PICK
Rated 5 out of 5