Saints Need Bounce Back Year From Paulson Adebo

Even after a bit of a sophomore slump last year, expect Paulson Adebo to be a vital part of the New Orleans defense in 2023.

The New Orleans Saints were in desperate need of a cornerback as they entered the 2021 offseason. The top corners were off the board when the Saints picked at Number 21 of the first round, but the team still bypassed three other talents in Asante Samuel Jr. (Florida State) and the Georgia tandem of Tyson Campbell and Eric Stokes by selecting Houston DE Payton Turner. 

New Orleans finally got their corner in the third round of the 2021 draft. The Saints traded two third-round picks to move up and select Stanford CB Paulson Adebo with the 76th overall choice. Adebo had eight interceptions and broke up 27 passes in 2018 and 2019 for Stanford before sitting out the 2020 campaign because of Covid concerns. He'd been considered one of the top collegiate corners entering 2020.

Prior to the start of the 2021 regular season, the Saints also traded for veteran starter Bradley Roby. Most expected Roby to start opposite shutdown CB Marshon Lattimore while Adebo got acclimated to the NFL. Instead, the rookie corner adapted quickly and played well enough to start immediately and keep Roby on the sidelines.

In his first NFL game, Adebo intercepted Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and allowed only one completion on five targets. Adebo would start all 17 games as a rookie. His three interceptions tied for the team lead. He also broke up eight passes, second on the squad, while allowing less than 62% completion percentage when targeted and recording four tackles for loss among 66 total stops. 

Heading into 2022, Adebo was expected to team with Lattimore to make up one of the NFL's top tandems of corners. However, an ankle injury hampered him during training camp and into the regular season. The injury caused him to miss the first two games and limited his snaps in Week 3.

Jan 1, 2023; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) breaks up pass intended for Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88). Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY

Adebo bounced back to play, and start, 12 of the last 14 contests. Perhaps still slowed by the ankle, he wasn't the same player he showed as a rookie. Adebo did record 60 tackles, including two for loss, but showed some vulnerability in coverage. He allowed nearly 66% completion percentage when targeted and did not record an interception while surrendering more touchdowns (6) and breaking up less passes (7) than he did as a rookie. 

Despite Adebo's struggles and injuries to both Lattimore and Roby, the New Orleans defense ranked second against the pass last season. The rapid development of CB Alontae Taylor, a 2022 second-round draft choice, had a lot to do with that.

Taylor, like Adebo, is now viewed as a rising star as he heads into his second year. However, people shouldn't be quick to dismiss Adebo, who turns just 24 on July 3.

Listed at 6'1" and 192-Lbs., Adebo is a lean defender who is still physical with wideouts. He's an extremely fluid athlete with the ball skills of a receiver. Adebo has the build and natural coverage skills of a top cornerback. However, his awareness and ability to read offenses must show improvement after being part of the reason for his struggles last season.

November 27, 2022; New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo (29) deflects a pass away from San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Lattimore is one of the league's best corners and will typically shadow an opponent’s best receiver one-on-one. Taylor and Adebo have both shown the ability to do the same thing when Lattimore has missed time.

You won't find a team with a better trio of cornerbacks than the New Orleans Saints, with veteran Roby providing an outstanding fourth. Adebo and Taylor will compete for the bulk of the playing time opposite of him. Each are more suited to an outside spot, but Taylor was also working in the slot through OTAs.

Paulson Adebo has been largely overlooked this offseason. If he can revert to the promise that he showed as a rookie, Adebo could elevate a very good defense into an elite unit.