Alontae Taylor wasn't even on the active roster until gameday, but within a matter of hours the rookie was one of the only players standing at the position.
With Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo inactive, Taylor drew his first career start after being activated from injured reserve. He lined up across from Bradley Roby, another veteran who went down with an injury in the first quarter and didn't return.
He was attacked early and often and held his own. Even in a 42-34 loss to the Cardinals it was an effort that was seen clearly by the coaching staff.
"I really liked what I saw out of him," head coach Dennis Allen said Friday. "I saw a guy that freakin' fought and competed on every single play. And that's really what we base what we do here defensively around. It's guy's going out and fighting and competing. And I thought he challenged on every single play."
With Roby down it was veteran and practice squad elevation Chris Harris Jr. manning the opposite outside corner spot. Early on Kyler Murray went at Taylor. That was the case on a third-down throw to DeAndre Hopkins that the former Tennessee Vol covered well. In the second quarter Murray tried to hit Rondale Moore with the rookie in coverage, and Taylor drew OPI. He also was stride for stride with burner Robbie Anderson downfield in the second half.
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Ultimately he was targeted five times in coverage, allowing just one catch for 17 yards. The Cardinals found much greater success going away from Taylor. Harris was targeted 6 times in coverage, allowing 4 catches for 37 yards, while also drawing a pair of penalties.
The Saints will, of course, be hopeful to get one or more of Lattimore, Roby and Adebo back for Week 8 and after a long layoff. Allen expressed optimism that would be the case. But either way, the rookie CB that seemed like a second-round luxury pick just a few months ago has almost certainly earned a role. It was a follow-up to an impressive showing filling in for Lattimore late in the loss to the Bucs, and he'll continue to demand a place on the field while also contributing on special teams.
"He didn't win every [rep], but I thought he challenged on every single one of them," Allen said. "So I was impressed with his performance. And certainly, if he stays healthy, I see him being a part of what we're trying to do as we move forward."
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