The Tennessee Titans signed versatile cornerback Alontae Taylor to a three-year, $58 million contract with a maximum value of $60 million, including $42 million fully guaranteed, bringing him back to his hometown. The former second-round pick played an important role for the New Orleans Saints, lining up all over the field, primarily in the slot and on the outside. Taylor logged 492 snaps in the slot, 366 on the outside, 142 at linebacker, 13 as an EDGE rusher, and two at free safety in 2025, per NFL Pro,recording two interceptions and 11 pass deflections.
It will be interesting to see how the Titans utilize the Swiss Army Knife, especially given the $20 million annual salary, which is a hefty price for a primary slot corner.
Tennessee Titans’ $60 million addition set to focus on one position
New Orleans Saints, Alontae Taylor
Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) reacts after a play against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
According to Paul Kuharsky, Robert Saleh directly said that Alontae Taylor will not play in the slot and will primarily line up on the outside. The Titans will have two of the three starting cornerback spots filled in: Taylor and former New York Giants third-round pick Cor’Dale Flott on the outside. Therefore, the defense will have a vacancy in the slot and will look to add two players, including a safety who will be the big nickel.
“Alontae Taylor is not playing the spot and neither is Kevin Winston. Robert Saleh said so directly,” Kuharsky said. “That means Marcus Harris is the nickel corner right now. The third safety will be the big nickel, and that’s currently Tony Adams, who signed for a year. Harris and Adams are hardly good enough to go unchallenged. The Titans need a better inside corner and a better third safety. Each will see the field a lot.”
Here’s a look at the Titans’ current projected starting slot cornerback
Tennessee Titans, Marcus Harris
Nov 23, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans cornerback Marcus Harris (26) warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Simmons-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Second-year player Marcus Harris is currently the projected starting slot cornerback. The sixth-round pick handled slot duties for the remainder of his rookie season after Tennessee traded Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams in late October. Harris performed well, especially for a late-round pick, recording five pass breakups while allowing a 48% completion rate, 235 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and a 74 passer rating across 14 games, including five starts, and accounted for 342 defensive snaps.