The Tennessee Titans have been displeased with $58 million cornerback Alontae Taylor. Taylor was made a healthy scratch for the Week 6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He was active for Week 7, but failed to earn a single defensive snap. Joshua Williams has started consecutive contests as a result.
Robert Saleh's staff is working through a plan to get Taylor back involved on defense. That could include a move to nickelback, where he previously played more frequently with the New Orleans Saints. It's a brutal situation for a cornerback on a multi-year contract worth nearly $20 million annually.
Meanwhile, Williams has quietly played very well at cornerback. That makes Taylor's situation so much more complicated. If the Titans did want to offer Taylor another chance at boundary corner, Williams' recent performances are making it a tough call.
Titans CB Joshua Williams is making the Alontae Taylor situation even more complicated
After spending five weeks on IR, Williams made his Titans debut in his Week 6 start versus the Colts. Pro Football Focus credited the former Fayetteville State standout with allowing two catches on five targets for 16 yards. He also had a pass breakup, something Taylor failed to produce in his five starts.
Williams carried that momentum into the Week 7 defeat to the Cleveland Browns. The lengthy outside cornerback allowed three receptions on six targets for 18 yards. In two starts, opposing quarterbacks are completing just 45.5% of the passing attempts thrown in his direction.
Opposite Williams, Cor'Dale Flott has interceptions in consecutive games. Flott is signed to a $45 million contract and is starting to emerge as the Titans' best cornerback. They can't take him off the field for Taylor either.
The Titans are sorting through a tough Alontae Taylor call
It would be surprising if Williams doesn't make his third consecutive start at cornerback versus Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. That decision would leave Taylor's usage in limbo again. The Titans are working through the strategy.
Taylor came nowhere near matching Williams' current production at cornerback. The former University of Tennessee defender is PFF's lowest-graded cornerback (29.8, minimum qualifiers). He's allowed 21 catches on 24 targets for one touchdown, two penalties, and zero INTs or PBUs.
Getting Taylor in at nickelback is also complicated because starter Marcus Harris is playing well. Harris did blow a coverage assignment on the game-losing play to the Browns, so perhaps that'll create an opening for Taylor to replace him.
That may be the only solution with how well Williams is playing.
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