Free agency has essentially started for the NFL, with the legal tampering period kicking off Monday, and things are off to a bad start for the New Orleans Saints. It’s been reported that the team’s top free agent, cornerback Paulson Adebo, is signing with the New York Giants.
Adebo was drafted by New Orleans in 2021, and developed into a really good corner in the last four seasons. Although the team definitely needed him back, he has decided to move on with the Giants, reportedly on a three-year deal worth $54 million.
As Free Agent Frenzy continues, @MikeGarafolo breaks down the latest on the @Giants newest CB Paulson Adebo 👏 pic.twitter.com/pYncP4sUyV
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 10, 2025
Cornerback Paulson Adebo is signing with the Giants
The veteran corner is coming off a season where he broke his femur, and only played in eight games, but he still showed more than enough to have a solid market in free agency. During those eight games on the field this season, Adebo developed somewhat of a boom-or-bust reputation. He was penalized nine times, but also recorded three interceptions and 10 pass deflections.
Turning 26 years old in July, the rebuilding Giants are betting on his upside, and New Orleans has to rebuild its cornerback room. In the past year, the Saints have traded away Marshon Lattimore and lost Adebo in free agency. The team still has the promising Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Alontae Taylor, but the group isn’t nearly as deep as it was at the start of the 2024 season.
This means cornerback will be a huge need for the Saints in the 2025 Draft, unless they find a replacement in free agency. Considering all of the team’s needs, and the lack of cap space to address them all with established veterans, New Orleans will probably be taking a corner in the first three rounds. If necessary, the Saints could start McKinstry and Taylor on the outside like they did last season when Adebo was injured and Lattimore was already gone. Ultimately, new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley will decide the best way to line up the defense in New Orleans.