The New Orleans Saints’ defense had a mixed performance in 2023, with their secondary being a bright spot. Despite the absence of Marshon Lattimore for much of the season, the secondary consistently forced turnovers and limited top passing attacks. Tom Blair of NFL.com recently highlighted the NFL’s most underappreciated players in the NFC, and the Saints’ choice was no surprise.
Cornerback Paulson Adebo was named as the Saints’ most underappreciated player. Adebo emerged as one of the team’s best players in 2023, filling the role left vacant by the injured Marshon Lattimore. He consistently shut down top wide receivers and performed at an elite level among cornerbacks in the league.
Paulson Adebo had an impressive 2023 season, recording 76 combined tackles, 18 passes defended, and 4 interceptions. As he enters the final year of his rookie contract, the Saints may consider extending him during the season, but there is no immediate urgency to do so. If Adebo replicates his 2023 performance, the Saints will likely need to re-evaluate their long-term plans for him.
However, the Saints’ recent draft pick, Kool-Aid McKinstry, in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, could potentially be a future replacement for Adebo. The team will need to monitor Adebo’s performance and the development of McKinstry to determine the best course of action for the cornerback position.
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