One of the areas where the New York Giants improved the most this offseason was their secondary, and it all starts with the team's first free-agent signing this year, defensive back Paulson Adebo. Big Blue signed the veteran cornerback to a three-year deal worth up to $54 million.
Adebo was having one of the best seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints last year before suffering a broken femur injury that required season-ending injury. The 26-year-old finished with 52 tackles (43 solo), three interceptions, and 10 passes defended in seven games, which makes you think Adebo could have earned Pro Bowl honors had he not gotten injured.
Now, he joins a Giants defense that struggled in 2024, forcing five interceptions (ranked 28th) and ranking 32nd in the league in opponent turnovers. This is a defensive backfield that has also lacked a standout cornerback for a couple of seasons, but that could change now, as ESPN's Ben Solak named Adebo the Giants' X-Factor this year.
Giants' X-Factor Paulson Adebo could make the Pro Bowl this year
Big Blue addressed a significant need at cornerback by bringing in Adebo. The X-Factor is poised for a big season, as defensive coordinator Shane Bowen has manifested takeaways for this season by introducing the turnover chest as extra motivation for his players.
This team struggled mightily with turnovers last season, but we can expect Adebo to help address this issue and be a frequent contributor to the chest. If he can make this impact on Big Blue's defensive backfield, fans could see the veteran do something that hasn't been done in years.
The last Giants' cornerback to make the Pro Bowl was James Bradberry in 2020. Bradberry started all 15 games he appeared in that season, totaling three interceptions, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and 54 total tackles (44 solo) — eerily similar stats to what Adebo had in seven games last year.
If the former Stanford product can replicate last season this year, while staying healthy, he may become the first Giants defensive back since Bradberry to head to Hawaii. The G-Men are in for a treat if Adebo plays anything like Bradberry did during his tenure in New York.
For now, Big Blue fans will welcome No. 21 to MetLife Stadium with open arms, hoping Adebo becomes a player who sticks around for years to come and helps turn things around for the Giants’ secondary.