The Giants wasted no time addressing their biggest defensive need as free agency began, reaching an agreement with cornerback Paulson Adebo, as confirmed by The Post.
Adding a starter alongside 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks, who struggled last season, was a priority for New York.
Adebo, 25, played his first four seasons with the Saints, starting 51 of 52 games. His ball-hawking ability, highlighted by 10 career interceptions, was a major draw for the Giants, who desperately needed playmakers in the secondary. Last season, New York set an unfortunate record by going 11 straight games without an interception and finished with only five, the second-fewest in the league behind the Browns. No Giants player recorded more than one interception.
Despite playing just seven games in 2024 before breaking his femur, Adebo still managed three interceptions. He has since posted videos of himself completing agility drills and even performing a backflip, signaling his full recovery.
Adebo is signing a three-year contract worth up to $54 million, with $36 million guaranteed, slightly below the three-year, $60 million deals that Carlton Davis (Patriots) and Charvarius Ward (Colts) received.
Known for his aggressive, press-man coverage, Adebo brings the ideal size (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) to thrive on the outside. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen will be tasked with integrating him into the system alongside key defensive pieces like Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns.
Over his last 22 games, Adebo leads the NFL in forced incompletions (29) and ranks fourth in interceptions (seven), per Pro Football Focus. In 2023, he had the highest forced interception rate and finished with 18 passes defended, the third most in the league.
A 2021 third-round pick out of Stanford, Adebo was college teammates with Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke. New York also has Cor’Dale Flott entering his fourth year and was impressed with rookie Dru Phillips, a third-round pick who secured a role as the slot corner. Banks’ struggles last season contributed to the firing of cornerbacks coach Jerome Henderson.
In addition to Adebo, the Giants bolstered their defensive front by signing veteran defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris to a two-year, $9 million contract. The 31-year-old has played 117 career games with 62 starts, recording 19 sacks. At 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, he complements the interior line anchored by 342-pound Lawrence.
Robertson-Harris, who previously played for the Bears, Jaguars, and Seahawks, was released by Seattle last week.
The Giants further strengthened their defensive line by signing Chauncey Golston to a three-year, $19.5 million deal. The 27-year-old replaces Azeez Ojulari and will provide key rotational depth, allowing Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux more rest. A 2021 third-round pick from Iowa, Golston recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2024 and is known for his run defense. He can also shift inside on passing downs.
New York also addressed offensive line depth by signing tackle James Hudson III to a two-year, $12 million deal. The 25-year-old, a former fourth-round pick of the Browns, started 17 games over four seasons and is expected to serve as a swing tackle. His addition could allow Josh Ezeudu to move inside and compete at guard.
On special teams, the Giants added linebacker Chris Board, a 29-year-old veteran who has played for the Ravens, Lions, and Patriots. While he has just four career starts on defense, he is expected to be a core special teamer. Board’s only two career sacks came against Daniel Jones and the Giants in 2020, and he has 3.5 total in his career.
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