Paulson Adebo, a prospect in CB at high levels, is one of them. Getty ImagesThe 2021 NFL Draft class was full of elite cornerback prospects. While nine were selected in the initial two rounds, there were many talented DBs available after the 64th pick. Paulson Adebo, a two-time All-Pac 12 defensive defender, was one of the names that were not called.AdvertisementDue to COVID concerns, Adebo was forced to miss the 2020 season. This decision led to Adebo falling down the draft boards. Why? Many analysts considered Adebo a CB1 before the 2020 college football season. This last season, JaMarr Chases, Gregory Rousseaus and Caleb Farleys didn't make a difference to their stock. Are NFL scouts able to see something that made Adebo turn away, or is he just forgotten, lost in a sea of top talent at his position? Jaycee Horn's track record is amazing. Patrick Surtain was as consistent and reliable as they come. Caleb Farley displayed flashes of his elite ball-tracking abilities, and Asante Samuel Jr. was Asante Samuels' son. These guys are too tempting to pass up. There are also Eric Stokes and Greg Newsome who are both extremely fast. Greg Newsome has an unmatched instinct for the game. Adebo may have the highest floor among all of these talented people.Paulson Adebo is a third-round pick of the Saints. He isn't the most gifted corner from Aprils draft. Although he's just 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, he's a great shutdown zone corner. This is a player that every NFL team could use.Adebo will be heading to New Orleans in pursuit of the number 2 slot at the outside corner opposite Marshon Lattimore. Adebo was an outside corner player for the majority of his career. However, Adebo's responsibilities would not suit his skillset. Adebo's man coverage is his biggest problem. He doesn't struggle to keep up with receivers. But he does love to look at receivers. Adebo was constantly beaten on the outside against UCF in 2019. Adebo would be fooled by almost any double move pulled off by Gabriel Davis, but Davis wasn't beating Adebo. Adebo was beating him. Adebo is trying too hard to be a ballhawk, and in his attempts to force turnovers he turns his head to locate the ball in the air. NFL receivers will never be afraid to take advantage of this tendency. Adebo will not hesitate to run down the field once he looks away. Adebo is slow and won't catch up so it won't be easy to catch up.Adebo must break this bad habit if he is to be an elite corner in the NFL. Even if Adebo doesn't break this bad habit, Adebo can still offer valuable skills to any team that requires him. Adebo's floor is a nickel corner that covers the hook zone with a cloud Cover 3. This floor is great for any player. Adebo can be a disaster at times. He is able to concentrate on multiple receivers and close fast against halfbacks and screens catching the ball in flats. Adebo's greatest strength is his ability read the quarterback, which may be why he enjoys looking back in man coverage. Although this strength can be detrimental in man-to–man coverage, it is a big plus in zone.Adebo can watch the quarterback whenever he wants and is able to spot plays and determine where the ball is heading better than any other draft class member (yes, better even than Surtain, Horn, Farley, etc). When he sees the ball coming in, Adebo can make amazing plays with it. These two qualities lead me to believe that Adebo's best role would be one of free safety. Adebo at that position would have the freedom to observe the quarterback's eyes and also be able to drop back to follow deep receivers without fear of being burned by a double-move (because who is going 15 yards downfield with a double move?). It's a match made in Heaven, theoretically.Can Adebo still be a cornerback? Yes. He has many of the necessary tools to succeed on the outside. Although his weaknesses as a defender might prevent him from being an elite player at the position, his strengths will keep him from becoming a failure. Adebo is the most talented defensive back in this 2021 class. He is the most reliable of all the 2021 class DBs. Hell could have a very long and fruitful career, moving from one team to the next filling specific defensive roles, a Josh Norman-type, if necessary. The sky is the limit at the best.AdvertisementAdebo, a former wide receiver, is now a cornerback at Stanford. This story is similar to one we've seen before.
