The list included two New Orleans Saints defenders: cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety J.T. Gray.
Adebo was named one of Belichick’s top cornerbacks, joining Houston Texans’ 2024 first-team All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr., Denver Broncos’ Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, and second-year Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Adebo’s season was cut short by a rare injury suffered in Week Seven of the 2024 season. He finished the year with three interceptions and 10 passes defended. His abbreviated season comprised an 18% forced incompletion percentage, one of the eight lowest totals among qualifying corners with more than 200 coverage snaps.
He plays a physical brand of football and one that is built well for a man-to-man gameplan, exactly the type that Belichick would have in his previous defenses. It’s no surprise to see Adebo here.
The 2021 draft pick is set to become a free agent this offseason, but he could end up back in New Orleans when all is said and done.
Gray made Belichick’s team not as a safety but as the top special teamer. An honor for which he also received a second-team All-Pro nod in 2024.
The seven-year pro has been one of the games best gunners for some time now and has been a core special teamer on kick coverage for the Saints, as well.
He recorded 14 special teams tackles in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, ranking second in the league with only two missed tackles. Gray has a quiet demeanor about him, but he is a dedicated, hard worker that has shown no signs of slowing down over the recent years. He should continue to be a staple in New Orleans.
