Should the Saints draft Keionte Scott in the NFL Draft?
The New Orleans Saints have a major decision to make this offseason regarding the future of Alontae Taylor. His rookie deal is up, meaning he’s an unrestricted free agent looking for a large contract. The Saints may choose to let him walk, opening up a major need for a slot cornerback. Fortunately for them, an ideal replacement awaits in the 2026 NFL Draft with Miami’s Keionte Scott.
Spotrac is projecting Taylor to receive a three-year, $33 million contract. This price will likely be too steep for the Saints, so they may opt for a cheaper option in the draft. There isn’t a better fit than Scott, who is drawing Taylor as his player comparison.
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound prospect has risen up the college football ladder in his six-year career. He began his career at Snow College in Utah, a junior college, playing two years for the Badgers before transferring to Auburn. Scott spent three seasons there before landing in Miami for his final year.
Similar to Taylor, Scott is a high-impact player on every down. He’s stellar against the run and a playmaker when the ball’s in the air. He tallied an impressive 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two interceptions (each being returned for touchdowns) in 2025.
Scott has fantastic instincts. He flies downhill to defend the run and rapidly breaks on the ball when the quarterback throws it his way. Additionally, he’s an amazing blitzer, using his rapid acceleration to instantly reach the quarterback. Once he meets the ball carrier, he looks to flatten them. He can get overaggressive at times, leading to missed tackles, but the mentality is evident.
Scott still has room to improve in coverage, but the potential is clear, especially in zone. He has a high IQ and uses it to read the quarterback and shut down his zone. He’s a fluid mover and matches up well against most receiver archetypes, occasionally struggling with shifty receivers in man coverage (Omar Cooper in the championship game).
An underrated aspect of Scott’s game is his leadership. He’s an older prospect at 24 years old, but he uses his experience to help mold a culture in the locker room and be a valuable presence for younger players. Teammates at Miami and Auburn have raved about his work ethic and leadership abilities. It’s something that won’t be talked about a lot, but is needed on every team.
Slot cornerback is a sneaky need for the Saints this offseason, as Alontae Taylor may not be a Saint in 2026. Luckily, New Orleans has a quick fix with Miami’s Keionte Scott. He could step into Taylor’s role on day one and help fill his shoes if he decides to leave.