Saints Training Camp: Paulson Adebo is balling out in Year 2

The New Orleans Saints expect great things from Paulson Adebo in Year 2, and so far in training camp, the young corner is well on his way to securing a starting spot.

In his NFL debut, Adebo was targeted four times and allowed just one catch, and he also recorded his first interception of his career. He and veteran Bradley Roby shared rotational snaps throughout the 2021 season, but Adebo clearly has more upside and could develop into a long-term starter at the position if he picks up where he left off.

This training camp, Adebo squares off against both Roby and rookie Alontae Taylor for the CB2 job, and Adebo quickly separated himself from the pack early on.

Saints’ Paulson Adebo is proving he’s ready for a starting corner job in 2022

In 2021, Adebo played in 17 games and recorded 66 combined tackles, eight passes defended, and three interceptions, earning a 60.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade.

Adebo played his way into a starting role in the backfield last year, when he was on the field for 76 percent of defensive snaps. Now, he has a shot to cement his position with a strong training camp and put together a spectacular Year 2 in the league.

The 2021 third-rounder showed his speed and ball skills by keeping tight coverage on Saints’ wide receivers Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry during practice, and if he continues to refine his technique he has the potential to become NOLA’s dependable and productive CB2 as soon as this year.

Luckily, Adebo gets to learn alongside one of the best in the game in Marshon Lattimore, and the two could form a dangerous backfield duo that locks down even the most elite corners.

We don’t want to jinx it, but Adebo just might be the Saints’ best third-round pick since Alvin Kamara. Here’s to Adebo making the pivotal second-year leap in 2022.