The Giants had one of the NFL’s worst secondaries in 2024, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 69.4 percent of their passes with just five interceptions.
So it made sense that New York’s first move of the 2025 offseason was addressing that need and signing former New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo.
Adebo, 25, was a third-round pick by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Stanford and has developed into a physical outside corner. He was on the way to another strong season in 2024, but suffered a broken femur, ending his year after seven games. Now with a new team, Adebo said Thursday after OTAs that his recovery is going well and he’s been wanting to get out on the field “as soon as possible.”
“I’m doing great, doing good. Recovery is all going great, so I’m happy to be out there,” Adebo said.
He added: “I was just kind of following the protocol that the trainers had in place. Once they said I was ready to go, then it’s just about getting in shape, being out there with the guys, building that team chemistry. That’s so big when you go through the duration of the season. So being out there as soon as possible was definitely important.”
Adebo will fit in DC Shane Bowen‘s defense opposite third-year CB Deonte Banks and said he can bring a bit of “everything” to the team with his style of play.
“Really aggressive corner, ball production, tackles. I feel just like a complete corner overall,” Adebo said.
“I like to do everything. Aggressive, zone scheme, man scheme. I feel like I can adapt to kind of everything in game situations, playmaking, matchups. I feel like I can do everything.”
Adebo has started 51 of the 52 games he’s played, making 10 interceptions and 254 combined tackles (209 solo tackles) with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was asked about Bowen’s treasure chest for celebrating turnovers and looks forward to using it.
“Super cool. I’m happy and excited to try and get a lot of turnovers. Hopefully I can put a lot of balls in there,” Adebo said.
Despite being just 25, Adebo discussed his “veteran” status among a younger secondary group and spoke highly of what he’s seen from then so far during OTAs. He added that he’s been “really impressed” with Banks during OTAs, calling him “super athletic and super fun to be around.”
“Some of the guys are young, but they’re definitely wise beyond their years as far as being able to take coaching. And also being able to lead as well, I feel like we have a group of leaders. Me, Jevon [Holland], and then [Tyler] Nubin. Everybody I feel like, Dru [Phillips] is doing his thing, Tae [Banks] is doing his thing, [Cor’Dale] Flott is doing his thing. Then we got guys like Dane Belton, Raheem [Layne], like everybody collectively is coming together.
“Can’t say enough good things about the group I came into.”
The corner hopes his experience in the league will help Big Blue’s secondary as he’s been “trying to put a good example out there” and believes the defense is on the right track to becoming a “cohesive” unit.
“I think it fits together really well. I think we’re doing a great job of communicating and a really good job of executing and being on the same page. That’s one of the big things about being a cohesive defense and I think we’re doing that.”
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