Despite starting every offseason significantly over the salary cap, the New Orleans Saints usually find a way to make at least one noteworthy free agency signing. From Derek Carr in 2023 to Chase Young in 2024, the Saints have been able to land guys that command a solid contract. They’ll try to do that again in 2025, but the team may be more focused on re-signing a couple of important veterans.
Among the players set to be free agents soon are Chase Young, Juwan Johnson, and Paulson Adebo. After a season with a lot of pressures for the Saints, Young will probably sign with another team. As far as Johnson and Adebo goes, their futures are really unclear, but it’s safe to say Adebo will have a lot of suitors.
The veteran cornerback was on his way to being a top free agent this offseason, but a broken femur affected the first free agency of his career. Still, New Orleans will have some competition to sign Adebo. That was evident in a recent ESPN piece by Ben Solak, looking at underrated players who could be steals in free agency. Adebo was one of the players listed.
Paulson Adebo named as an underrated free agent that could be a steal
Solak acknowledged how the injury this past season could affect Adebo’s market, and how it could lead to him signing a one-year deal, but argued that he’s still a quality player when healthy.
"Adebo produces on the field. That alone should get him some significant attention: 18 passes defended in 2023, and another 10 in 2024 before a broken femur ended his season after seven games. The injury was serious, so Adebo comes with some major risk that will depreciate his contract numbers in free agency. I expect him to sign a one-year deal for a starting job and try to reenter free agency in 2026 after a healthy season."Ben Solak (ESPN)
Solak went on to detail Adebo’s boom-or-bust reputation, explaining how he’s either penalized or recording an interception when the ball comes his way. Still, his lows aren’t enough to scare a team away. That’s why he’s considered a great fit for teams like the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots.
He’s also a great fit for the Saints, who really need to re-sign him. With Marshon Lattimore no longer on the team, New Orleans needs Adebo to stay in town and keep the secondary healthy. The Saints do have the advantage of being able to negotiate with him before other teams, but if the veteran corner makes it to free agency, the team should lose him.