The New York Giants need a lot to go right for them to make the playoffs in 2025, but if they do, the under-the-radar free agent signing of Paulson Adebo will likely play a big role.
ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan labeled the Adebo pickup as the “most underrated move” of the Giants’ offseason on June 26.
Reasoning: “[Adebo is] not a household name, but at least gives the Giants a proven player at the [cornerback] position. That’s something they didn’t have last season, and it backfired in the worst way.”
“Thrust into the No. 1 cornerback role by default, 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks had a mess of a season, allowing six touchdowns as the nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats,” Raanan explained. “Adebo’s arrival allows Banks to fall back into a more realistic supporting role. And if that doesn’t work out, Cor’Dale Flott, who has started 23 games over the past three seasons, can step into the lineup.”
“The Giants have a significantly better defensive backfield after the signing of Adebo and safety Jevon Holland,” the veteran reporter finally concluded. “It’s going to be needed with the teams in this division loaded at wide receiver.”
Paulson Adebo Among Spring ‘Risers’ After Healthy OTAs & Minicamp With Giants
One of the more positive developments of Giants OTAs and minicamp was Adebo’s health. After suffering a broken femur in 2024, it was unclear if the newcomer would need more time to recover after signing in free agency.
But according to all reports, Adebo is healthy and ready to go.
NorthJersey.com beat writer Art Stapleton even named him within his post-minicamp “risers” article on June 20.
“Adebo had a relatively quiet spring and he was on the field throughout the offseason program, which is a good sign for a talented player who suffered a broken leg last year in New Orleans,” Stapleton noted within the article.
Adding: “The Giants see Adebo as a cornerstone on the back end of this defense, and nothing we have seen thus far would disprove that.”
Giants CB Paulson Adebo Honored as 2021 ‘Draft Steal’
Adebo has been getting a lot of love in recent days, and one bit of recognition came courtesy of Bleacher Report analyst Damian Parson on June 23.
“Since entering the league, Paulson Adebo has been a disruptive and feisty cornerback,” Parson began, naming him among the biggest 2021 NFL draft steals. “The New Orleans Saints selected him in the third round and have watched his growth over the past four years.”
“Adebo started slowly, allowing more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns in coverage from 2021 to 2022. However, the last two years were better for him,” the analyst continued. “He allowed only two touchdowns but reeled in seven interceptions during that span.
“Before he was placed on IR after seven games this past season, Adebo was targeted a league-high 55 times, but he allowed the fewest target EPA (-23.6) among outside cornerbacks, according to NFL Pro. He allowed a passer rating of 62.4, which was far below the current average of 88-94.”
Parson ended the Adebo blurb by citing his $54 million contract with the Giants.
Concluding: “His ball skills and playmaking ability should fit in well with the Giants’ secondary and young cornerback Deonte Banks.”
With Adebo hype seemingly at an all-time high, he’ll be an interesting player to watch throughout the early stages of the 2025 season.
Giants’ Free Agent Signing Labeled ‘Most Underrated Move’ of Offseason