NFL CAREER – One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2021 season was the emergence of rookie cornerback Paulson Adebo. A third round draft pick out of Stanford, Adebo was the only Saints defender to open all 17 games, as he finished with 63 tackles (54 solo), three interception returns for 50 yards, eight passes defensed and three special teams stops. Tying for the team lead in picks, Adebo became only the fifth Saints rookie to have at least three interceptions in his rookie campaign, joining CB Robert Massey (1989), S Sammy Knight (1997), CB Marshon Lattimore (2017) and S Marcus Williams (2017). Adebo will look to take advantage of his first full offseason as a professional as he seeks to become a linchpin in the Saints defensive backs corps.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS –Signed to a four-year contract, 6/8/21; Originally selected in the third round (76th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 – Started all 17 games and finished with 63 tackles (54 solo), three interceptions, to tie for the team lead, 50 yards in returns, eight passes defensed and three special teams stops…In opener vs. Green Bay, Sept. 12, finished with three tackles (two solo) and became the first Saint to record an interception in his NFL debut since LB James Allen at Tampa Bay on Sept. 8, 2002…Recorded career-high seven tackles (career-high six solo) at Carolina, Sept. 19…Recorded four solo tackles, his second career pick and a pass defense at Washington, Oct. 10…Recorded four tackles (three solo), one stop for loss and one pass defensed in 13-10 Monday Night Football victory at Seattle, Oct. 25, when the defense surrendered only 129 net passing yards…Recorded five solo tackles, a pass defense and a special teams stop as the defense surrendered only 178 net passing yards at N.Y. Jets, Dec. 19…Finished with three tackles (two solo) and a pass defense in 9-0 Sunday Night Football win at Tampa Bay, Dec. 19…Recorded five solo tackles, a stop for loss and a pass defense as New Orleans surrendered season-low 90 net passing yards vs. Carolina, 1/2/22…Finished with five tackles (three solo), defended two passes and recorded his third interception of season at Atlanta, 1/9/22.
COLLEGE – Adebo finished his college career playing in 22 games with 21 starts for Stanford and recording 97 tackles, 34 passes defensed and eight interceptions, earning All-Pac-12 honors in both 2018 and 2019…Opted out of 2020 season…All-Pac-12 first team selection (conference coaches) and AP second-team selection in 2019. Played in and started each of the first nine games before being sidelined by a season-ending injury and totaled 33 tackles, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions. Led Pac-12 Conference in passes defended per game and interceptions per game. Third nationally in passes defended per game and eighth in interceptions per game…Matched his career high with four pass breakups and added five tackles vs. No. 15 Washington to be named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week…Recorded two interceptions, his second career two-pick game, vs. Arizona, when he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and Jim Thorpe Award National Player of the Week….FWAA All-America second-team, All-Pac-12 first-team and Pacific Takes Pac-12 All-Freshman selection as he played in 13 games and started 12 in 2018. No. 1 in the nation with 24 passes defended (20 breakups and four interceptions). Led team and finished third in the Pac-12 (16th in the nation) with four picks. Ranked third on team with 64 tackles (44 solo), including 3.5 stops for loss…Recorded six solo tackles and four passes defensed, including three in overtime, at No. 20 Oregon, Sept. 22…Finished with three solo tackles, one interception and three passes defensed in victory at Arizona State, Oct. 18…Finished with four solo tackles and one interception in win at UCLA, Nov. 24…Recorded three tackles (two solo), two interceptions and three pass breakups in win at Cal, Dec. 1…Did not see action in 2017…Majored in product design.
PERSONAL – Prepped at Mansfield (Texas) HS…Four-star recruit was ranked nation's 58th-best recruit and ninth-best wideout by ESPN…Ranked nation's seventh-best athlete by Scout and 20th by Rivals…Ranked nation's 18th-best CB by 247Sports, Texas' 12th-best recruit by ESPN, 16th by 247Sports, 22nd by Scout.com, 30th by Rivals and 32nd by PrepStar…2017 Under Armour All-America…2016 6A AP All-State honorable mention…2015 6A Texas Sports Writers Association All-State honorable mention selection…Two-time (2015-16) Dallas Morning News All-Area first-team defense selection…Made 53 tackles, seven passes defensed, three interceptions (one touchdown return) as senior. Added 25 catches for 494 yards and two touchdowns and 14 carries for 151 yards and a score…Finished with 75 tackles, 12 passes defensed, five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) as a junior in 2015. Added 41 catches for 730 yards (17.8 avg.) and 11 touchdowns and 11 carries for 94 yards…Competed in both track and basketball…Academic All-State second-team selection…Full name is Saiid Paulson Adebo…Born in Farmington, Mich…Older brother, Mouf, played football at Sam Houston State…First language at home is French, the native tongue of his mother, Pauline Domingo, who emigrated from the West African nation of Benin and teaches it at the University of Texas-Arlington.
