Paulson Adebo is the biggest name on the New Orleans Saints with an expiring contract. What makes him such an interesting hypothetical for New Orleans is they’re already paying Marshon Lattimore a healthy contract. It’s unclear what Lattimore’s future is or if the Saints would pay two corners about $20 million.
Bleacher Report’s Kris Knox ranked the cornerback the seventh best free agent next offseason. Big names like Ceedee Lamb and Brandon Aiyuk have recently been removed from the pool due to contract extensions, but Adebo would have still been top-10 on the list.
Knox made his decision based off past production, player upside, age, positional value and player health. Adebo checks off many of these boxes positively. Health is the only thing that could be held against him.
Knox projects Adebo’s contract at four years $78 million. That’s just barely more than Lattimore was paid a few years prior. If the Saints move on from Lattimore, they’re more likely to hold on to Adebo. Money would be a factor, but so would importance to the team. You wouldn’t want to lose your two top corners in an offseason.
Moving on from Lattimore likely means Adebo sustained his play from 2023, when he had the best year of his career. It also means the Adebo would be in line to be the lead corner in New Orleans. Four years, $78 million feels appropriate in those circumstances.
