The New Orleans Saints find themselves strapped for cash and could lose impending free agent cornerback Paulson Adebo to the open market. Selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Stanford product broke out with a strong 2023 and played well in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury midway through the season. Now set to test the open market, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the cornerback will break the bank, as multiple teams reportedly have him as a top-three cornerback in the class.
“Multiple teams consider Adebo a top-three corner in the free agency class based on ability and upside. Adebo had no complications from his surgery, which included a rod being placed in the broken bone – where there was a clean fracture – to stabilize it.”
Top players always receive massive contracts in free agency, and Fowler’s report suggests Adebo is in line for a massive raise. If this is true, the Saints might lose Paulson Adebo to the open market. As of this posting, the team is currently $54 million over the projected salary cap, and while General Manager Mickey Loomis will undoubtedly restructure his way to salary cap compliance, the team probably won’t have the financial liberty to hand out a top contract. If Adebo walks, look for him to join a cornerback-needy team like the Carolina Panthers or Jacksonville Jaguars.
Panthers, Jaguars Could Steal Paulson Adebo From Saints
The Carolina Panthers entered the 2024 season projected to have one of the league’s worst defenses. The unit played up to their talent level, which isn’t a good thing, as the team ranked at or near the bottom of just about every defensive statistic. First-year head coach Dave Canales and General Manager Dan Morgan understandably spent the previous offseason trying to fix the offense, and now it’s time for them to turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. While one player cannot fix everything, signing Paulson Adebo from the Saints could dramatically improve their secondary.
Former first-round pick Jaycee Horn finally stayed healthy last year and made the Pro Bowl, while Mike Jackson had an out-of-nowhere strong season. However, even if both players return to form in 2025 (and that’s a big ‘if’), they could still use another cornerback. Teams are throwing the ball more than ever, and adding Adebo to the mix will ensure Carolina has enough quality defensive backs to slow down opposing offenses. With Adebo and another pass rusher, this defense should be good enough to support an emergent Bryce Young.
Liam Coen’s Vision
Trent Baalke is gone and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is now running the show in Jacksonville. While the team could use more help along the offensive line, Coen’s presence should help fix an offense that already has talented playmakers in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and breakout first-round pick Brian Thomas. The biggest issue is the defense, which means the team will likely target a cornerback.
Coen only spent one year in Tampa Bay, but he should still be familiar with what Paulson Adebo brought to the New Orleans Saints. Now inheriting a team that ranked 31st in EPA/play allowed despite playing in a weak division, Jacksonville must do something to fix this disastrous unit. Adebo alone won’t turn this defense into the Legion of Boom, but he’s a good first piece.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman – Imagn Images
