Giants make the perfect move in free agency to sign the best value at premium position away from the Saints
Based on where the New York Giants is on its roster-building process, they need young players with high upside and the potential to get better. That's exactly what they are getting in the franchise's first free agency move. The Giants are signing cornerback Paulson Adebo, a former third-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. The […]
Based on where the New York Giants is on its roster-building process, they need young players with high upside and the potential to get better. That's exactly what they are getting in the franchise's first free agency move.
The Giants are signing cornerback Paulson Adebo, a former third-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. The numbers are not available so far, but the expectation is that it will be around $18 million on average per season.
Adebo has shown vast improvement for the Saints over the last two years. Penalties have been a problem at times, but that comes with the territory with a physical corner. Deonte Banks is not afraid of physicality, either, so that duo makes plenty of sense for New York. The Saints wanted Adebo back, but that price was a bit out of their range. The cornerback is coming off a major leg injury, but it doesn't sound like it's something with long-term implications.
Great signing for a retooling roster
Paulson Adebo has been one of the most unique players at his position in recent years. At his peak, he's played at a Pro Bowl level for New Orleans. At other times, he's been a liability due to penalties. There seemed to be very little in between for the cornerback. A great characteristic is that he had a knack for somehow coming up with an interception in clutch moments for the Saints.
Adebo is coming off a serious leg injury, a broken femur, so there's plenty of risk involved for whoever targets him in free agency. But the defensive back is 25, and his upside is real.
Last year, Adebo allowed a 67.0 passer rating when targeted, which was impressive and a career low. He had seven pass breakups and three interceptions. Notably, he generated two pressures as a blitzer and had a 91.5 pass rush grade according to PFF.
According to Adebo himself, he expects to be ready to go by training camp. The cornerback played only seven games in 2024, but that's a freaky injury, more than a lingering issue. It was the first season of his career in which he played fewer than 13 games. Even so, a short-term deal may make the most sense as he tries to prove he can return at full strength.
Cornerback is a premium position, and usually top players don't even hit the market. Paulson Adebo, a former third-round pick, might bring some risk and some question marks, but he would be a solid option for needy teams in a position so hard to fill.
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