Former third-round cornerback Paulson Adebo is likely to test the free agent market this upcoming offseason. The NFL postseason is underway, but the New Orleans Saints are not participating since they had another disastrous season. A few players, including Adebo, have been rehabbing from season-ending injuries which never gave the Saints a legitimate chance. However, the team is heading into another offseason with salary cap implications which gives them no choice but to make several moves for relief.
While the Saints will find personnel with a new head coach, they will probably release a few veterans. One of them will be Adebo who is open to possibly finding a new team that could give him a fresh start. Originally selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Stanford product came into the league spending his entirety with the Saints, recording 10 interceptions, 43 pass deflections and 254 total tackles. However, injuries have been catching up to him so the Saints won’t be re-signing him to a new deal either way, but he could revitalize his career with a new roster.
Since trading Marshon Lattimore, the Saints should reconsider their rebuild stance which would leave Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Adebo leaving would put the Saints in good hands to find a cheaper cornerback. However, the Ravens, Chargers could take a gamble on him as long as he can stay healthy.
Paulson Adebo “Open” To Test Free Agent Market – Ravens, Chargers Possible Fits
Weakness in Baltimore
The Ravens have been on fire this entire regular season since signing Derrick Henry to bolster the momentum of the offense. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is performing MVP level again which puts them in the best position for a Super Bowl run. However, the pass defense has yet to find the answer to stop the easy scores from opposing offenses. Marlon Humphrey is doing what he can to keep the team together like glue but Brandon Stephens and Kyle Hamilton.
While elevating Ar’Darius Washington was an improvement for the secondary, there are still some miscues that need some cleaning up. Baltimore should take a chance on Adebo and get him in rotation. Humphrey isn’t getting any younger and rookie cornerback Nate Wiggins is going through growing pains and can’t afford to rush him to full-time duties.
Better Luck Next Postseason
The Los Angeles Chargers are one-and-done this postseason after the brutal loss against the Texans despite having a few bright spots on the roster for the regular season. With the disastrous loss, however, it puts them in the driver’s seat this offseason to go “All In” to score a few moves to improve their roster with $76 million in their pocket. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the 2024 campaign and had to rely on rookie Cam Hart to fit into the starting lineup. While he did what he could to his own in the regular season, it’s no surprise why he wasn’t able to in the postseason since he has no experience.
However, it was a disaster for the Chargers since leaving several playmakers in the secondary, including Ja’Sir Taylor, Elijah Molden and Marcus Maye. It was evident their presence was missed but Derwin James did what he could to hold off on C.J. Stroud’s explosive arm in the wild card round. The pass defense was a key factor for their loss no matter how many interceptions Justin Herbert put up. Paulson Adebo might be the next man up if they let Samuel walk in free agency so this should give the team a better chance to see what he can do in Jim Harbaugh’s secondary.
The post Former Third Rounder “Open” To Test Free Agent Market – Ravens, Chargers Possible Fits appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.