Paulson Adebo listed as Saints’ biggest X-factor for 2021

The New Orleans Saints spent a third-round pick on Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo with the hopes that he could step into their secondary and pack a punch.

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report picked Adebo as the Saints’ biggest X-factor for the 2021 season. The rookie cornerback is stepping into a complicated situation and has a chance to be the team’s biggest contributor this year, at least from a rookie standpoint.

Here’s what Sobleski had to say:

"Third-round rookie Paulson Adebo could make the situation more tenable because he has enough potential to become a starter opposite Marshon Lattimore.The Baltimore Ravens tested Adebo in his first NFL action and didn’t manage much.“They went after Paulson a few times, and I thought he handled it well,” head coach Sean Payton told reporters. “He also played well in the kicking game. By and large, I was encouraged with the defensive performance last night.”A string of strong performances by the collegiate ballhawk—who had eight interceptions and 27 pass breakups in two seasons with Stanford—should put Ken Crawley on notice."

It’s not unfathomable to think that Adebo could end up being a starter by the time the regular season rolls around. His only true competition is Ken Crawley, who has given Saints fans a fair share of headaches during his tenure in the Big Easy.

Paulson Adebo biggest X-factor for New Orleans Saints

As Sobleski mentioned, Abedo gives the Saints a starting option alongside Marshon Lattimore, especially now that Patrick Robinson isn’t going to play after making a sudden retirement announcement.

Adebo looked good in the preseason opener and Sean Payton was impressed with what he was able to do on the field in his first glimpse of NFL action, preseason or not. The Saints knew they had something special with Adebo when they drafted him and now he’ll be a bigger part of their plans with the Robinson retirement.

Facing a ferocious offense like the Buccaneers twice a season is going to be tough but hopefully Adebo helps the Saints secondary feel up to the task.