The New York Giants took a real gamble this offseason that raised a few eyebrows. A cornerback coming off a season-ending injury isn’t usually the type of player that commands $54 million over three years, but Joe Schoen didn’t care. He saw the potential. And so far, Paulson Adebo is giving this front office every reason to believe they nailed it.
The decision to sign Adebo wasn’t universally praised. A broken femur is no joke, and paying top dollar for a corner coming off that kind of injury was always going to raise questions... especially with Schoen making the deal. But Adebo made it to training camp ready to impress. And so far, impress he has.
Related: It only took one practice for Joe Schoen’s riskiest bet to look brilliant
Second-year safety Tyler Nubin had plenty to say about what he’s seen from the 26-year-old so far: “He’s real smart... real technical, he’s a pro. Another example for guys to look at as somebody who’s doing it the right way... he’s a guy that’s not afraid to talk and let you know what he’s thinking.”
By all accounts, that sounds exactly like the perfect situation for an up-and-coming defensive back coming off a promising rookie season. Don't look now, but this defense might just become a problem with Adebo leading the charge.
Paulson Adebo is quickly proving Joe Schoen's gamble was worth it
Nubin’s praise didn't come out of nowhere. On the first day of camp, Adebo was matched up with Darius Slayton during a rep. He played the route tight and never gave him space to operate. Russell Wilson fired a strike on a slant to the back of the end zone, but it didn’t matter — Adebo was there the whole time and broke it up effortlessly.
It was the first legitimate sign that this thing might actually work.
But it hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows for the newcomer. Malik Nabers flat-out embarrassed him with an absolutely electric route he had no business trying to defend.
This secondary doesn’t need miracles — it just needs to be competent. With Jevón Holland and Tyler Nubin starting at safety, Adebo stepping up on the outside changes the dynamic. Deonte Banks or Cor'Dale Flott can settle into more favorable matchups. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen can get creative. And maybe for the first time in a while, the G-Men can rely on their defensive backs.
Between the way he opened camp and the way Nubin spoke about him, it’s not hard to see why the noise is bordering on noise complaints. The G-Men didn’t sign him for $18 million a season for fun — they signed him to take control of an up-and-coming secondary needing guidance.
Two days in, and that’s exactly where things are heading.