Atlanta Falcons Sign Cornerback Keith Taylor for Enhanced Secondary Depth

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons announced Friday that they have signed cornerback Keith Taylor, adding depth to their secondary as they look to improve on a challenging 2024 season.

Taylor, a 26-year-old defensive back, joins the Falcons after spending the 2023 season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he appeared in 11 games and recorded five tackles. During those games, he participated in 11% of defensive snaps and 47% of special teams snaps, primarily contributing on special teams.

Before his time in Kansas City, Taylor played for the Carolina Panthers, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 166th overall pick. In his two seasons with the Panthers, Taylor played in 34 games with five starts. He accumulated 67 tackles, including one for a loss, six pass defenses, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

During 2023, Taylor was not retained by the Panthers after preseason and subsequently joined the Chiefs as part of their practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster in October 2024, where he continued to showcase his abilities as a dual contributor on defense and special teams.

“Keith brings experience and depth to our cornerback group,” Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot said. “We believe he possesses the skills needed to enhance our defensive strategy moving forward.”

The Falcons’ starting cornerbacks for the 2025 season include returning players A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes. With Taylor’s signing, the Falcons’ cornerback lineup now also features Natrone Brooks, Kevin King, and Clark Phillips III, aiming to bolster their defense after a season marred by poor tackling and assignments.

Although Taylor’s NFL career has been up and down, his height and physicality afford him potential in the Falcons’ defense, which primarily consists of veteran players. If Taylor makes the final roster, he could serve as a backup cornerback and a key special teams contributor.

Fans are encouraged to welcome Taylor as he joins the team for the upcoming offseason training. His role in the 2025 season, depending on the Falcons’ defensive schemes, remains to be fully determined.