1. Alontae Taylor
Alontae Taylor won’t make the Saints forget about prime Marshon Lattimore anytime soon, but his combination of age, play level, and positional importance makes him the team’s most important free agent. Stepping up as the team’s de facto CB1, Taylor has established himself as a good, albeit not great, cornerback. Through 16 games, he’s recorded two interceptions, 11 passes defended, two sacks, 79 tackles, and a respectable 63.8 PFF grade.
The Saints should try to retain Taylor, but they shouldn’t move heaven and earth for him. There’s a chance he’s the top cornerback on the market when the league year begins and could receive franchise-altering money. Taylor is good, but he’s not good enough to justify that type of investment. However, assuming his asking price isn’t ridiculous, New Orleans should try to keep him in town.
