NFL CAREER – A third-round draft pick out of Stanford in 2021, Paulson Adebo has started all but one game he's appeared in for the Black and Gold the past three seasons. Overall, the Mansfield, Texas native has appeared in 45 games with 44 starts, recording 199 tackles (165 solo) with 33 passes defensed, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three special teams stops. After missing two of the first four games of the 2023 campaign with a hamstring injury, Adebo returned to produce the best season of his career, starting all 15 games he played in, posting 76 tackles (60 solo), four interceptions, 18 pass breakups, ranked third in the NFL, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as New Orleans ranked tenth in the NFL in opponent net passing yards per game. The fourth-year pro will look to build upon his career year in 2023 as a member of one of the league's top defensive back units.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a four-year contract, 6/8/21; Selected in the third round (76th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2022: NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week Nine).
2023 – Started at LCB in all 15 games he played in, posting a career-year statistically, finishing with 76 tackles (60 solo), four interception returns for 32 yards, 18 pass breakups, which ranked third in the NFL, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries as New Orleans ranked tenth in the NFL in opponent net passing yards per game. Adebo's four interceptions and two fumble recoveries tied for team-highs, and his 18 pass breakups and two forced fumbles led the Black and Gold defense...Vs. Tennessee, Sept. 10, recorded two solo tackles, a pass defense, and delivered a crucial second half interception, as the secondary helped force Ryan Tannehill to have a career-low 28.8 passer rating...At Carolina, Sept. 18, started at LCB and recorded four tackles (three solo) and had first career fumble recovery off a strip sack by Carl Granderson...Inactive next two contests (hamstring)...At New England, Oct. 8, returned to action and recorded three solo tackles and two pass breakups. Helped lead defense to a 34-0 shutout win against the Patriots with New Orleans surrendering only 111 net passing yards...At Houston, Oct. 15, recorded one solo tackle as Saints surrendered under 200 net passing yards (199) for second straight game...Vs. Jacksonville, Oct. 19, finished with team-high seven tackles (five solo), two pass breakups, and forced first career fumble...At Indianapolis, Oct. 29, finished with three solo tackles, a 31-yard interception return, and a career-high three pass breakups. Adebo's third quarter interception set-up a key touchdown drive to help the Saints pull away from Colts...Vs. Chicago, Nov. 5, had a career day, finishing with seven tackles (five solo), career-high two interceptions, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Marked the first time in his career that Adebo recorded an interception in back to back weeks. Helped lead defense to force five turnovers for the first time since 2020 season. Adebo was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts...At Minnesota, Nov. 12, finished with nine tackles (five solo) and two passes defensed...At Atlanta, Nov. 26, recorded four solo tackles...Vs. Detroit, Dec. 3, finished with eight tackles (six solo) and a pass breakup...Vs. Carolina, Dec. 10, recorded five solo tackles...Vs. N.Y. Giants, Dec. 17, finished with two solo tackles and two pass breakups...At L.A. Rams, Dec. 21, finished with a team-leading and career-high ten tackles (career-high nine solo) and a pass breakup...At Tampa Bay, Dec. 31, recorded four tackles (three solo) and one pass breakup...Vs. Atlanta, 1/7/24, finished with seven tackles (four solo) and a pass breakup. 2022 – Appeared in 13 games with 12 starts at LCB and posted 60 tackles (51 solo) and seven pass breakups, as Saints ranked second in NFL in pass defense…Inactive for first two contests (ankle)…At Carolina, Sept. 25, registered one tackle…Vs. Minnesota (London), Oct. 2, started and recorded eight solo tackles with a pass defense…Vs. Seattle, Oct. 9, started and played on special teams and recorded team-high eight tackles (six solo) and one pass defense…At Arizona, Oct. 20, inactive (knee)…Vs. Las Vegas Oct. 30, started and played on special teams. Recorded eight tackles (six solo) and a pass defense, as New Orleans shutout the Raiders 24-0. Included in defensive tackle total was a stop for a three-yard loss on a fake punt attempt…vs. L.A. Rams, Nov. 20, started and had a special teams snap and recorded five solo tackles, including a stop for loss, as New Orleans surrendered only 188 net yards passing…At San Francisco, Nov. 27 started and recorded six tackles (two solo) and team-high two passes defensed…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 5, started and registered three solo tackles…Vs. Atlanta, Dec. 18, started and made a solo tackle…At Cleveland, Dec. 24, started at LCB and posted two tackles (one solo), as New Orleans surrendered only 135 net passing yards…At Philadelphia 1/1/23, started and recorded six solo tackles and one pass defense…vs. Carolina 1/8/23, inactive (hamstring). 2021 – Started all 17 games (game one at RCB and games 2-17 at LCB) and finished with 63 tackles (54 solo), three interceptions to tie for team lead with 50 yards in returns, eight passes defensed and three special teams stops…Became only fifth Saints rookie to have at least three interceptions in rookie campaign, joining CB Robert Massey (1989), S Sammy Knight (1997), CB Marshon Lattimore (2017) and S Marcus Williams (2017)...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 2002 (LB James Allen)…Recorded seven tackles (six solo) at Carolina, Sept. 19…Recorded four solo tackles, a pick and a pass defense at Washington, Oct. 10…Recorded four tackles (three solo), a stop for loss and a pass defense in a 13-10 Monday Night Football win 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 as he played in 13 games with 12 starts in 2018. First in nation with 24 passes defensed. Led team and finished third in Pac-12 (16th in nation) with four picks. Third on team with 64 tackles (44 solo), including 3.5 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, an interception and three passes defensed in victory at Arizona State, Oct. 18…Recorded three tackles (two solo), two interceptions and three pass breakups in win at Cal, Dec. 1…Did not see game 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 (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 and 22nd by Scout.com…2017 Under Armour All-America selection…2016 6A Associated Press All-State honorable mention…2015 6A Texas Sports Writers Association All-State honorable mention…Two-time (2015-16) Dallas Morning News All-Area first-team…Made 53 tackles, seven passes defensed, three interceptions (one TD return) as senior. Added 25 catches for 494 yards and two TDs 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 TDs and 11 carries for 94 yards…Competed in track and basketball…Academic All-State second-team selection…Older brother, Mouf, played football at Sam Houston State…First language at home is French, the native tongue of his mother, Pauline Domingo, who immigrated from West African nation of Benin and teaches it at University of Texas-Arlington…In 2023, participated in league's "NFL Africa" camp…In May, appeared at Bridgedale Elementary School for a physical education takeover event…Full name is Saiid Paulson Adebo…Born in Farmington, Mich.
