Paulson Adebo eyes bounce-back season as Giants seek lockdown corner

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.— An overly optimistic Paulson Adebo thinks the Giants could have “three or four” No.

1-caliber cornerbacks.The Giants would be happy with just one player ascending to that throne, and based on the combination of experience, contract and talent, it probably needs to be Adebo who pulls away from Greg Newsome II, Deonte Banks and rookie Colton Hood to fill the hole that would bind together a potentially dominant defense.It didn’t happen last season when Adebo allowed 48 catches for 579 yards and two touchdowns over 12 games in his injury-marred first season after signing a three-year, $54 million free-agent contract.“Overall, not good enough,” Adebo said of his performance.“Regardless of whatever circumstance is going on.”With the Saints, Adebo lined up with former Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore and rising star Alontae Taylor.

Can he now make the jump to become one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL — in line with his contract — instead of regressing to a level where his starting job is in jeopardy?“For sure, yeah,” Adebo said.“I think that’s what I see myself as, so that’s what I’m trying to prove.“Personally, my goal is always to be the best in the league, so year in and year out, that’s always been my goal since I came in as a rookie, so that doesn’t change.

But definitely there’s more from the outside as far as being able to fulfill those expectations.” Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.Adebo, 27, had his second interception of training camp during Tuesday’s practice to continue riding the highs and lows that also include him surrendering a few chunk gains.

The takeaway was an encouraging sign for the Giants, who are banking on a return to the production — 10 interceptions in 52 career games with the Saints — that convinced general manager Joe Schoen that Adebo was worthy of No.1 cornerback billing.New Giants d...