Stopping passing attacks has never been more difficult than in today’s offense-oriented NFL, so finding players who can match up with top receivers and take them out of the game is crucial to the overall success of a unit. Stephon Gilmore is no longer an elite lockdown cornerback, but the free agent is a reliable defender. According to Pro Football Focus, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year finished the 2023 season with a 71.2 grade, the 35th-best mark out of 127 players.
This is a pretty good mark, and the advanced metrics paint a similar picture. On the season, the cornerback broke up 13 passes and hauled in two interceptions while playing a crucial role in one of the league’s better defenses. While his season ended on a low note, by and large, he was still a productive player, and it’s hard to understand why Stephon Gilmore hasn’t had more free agent interest.
Stephon Gilmore Should Be Drawing More Free Agent Interest
Now entering his age-34 season, Stephon Gilmore is on the older side, and there is a chance this is why teams are seemingly avoiding the free agent. While he’s admittedly no spring chicken, the film shows that two-time All-Pro is still a starting-caliber defender who would improve just about every defense in the league.
Perhaps the issue is that Stephon Gilmore simply hasn’t found the free agent fit he’s looking for. Before the start of the league year, the cornerback said he wanted to return to the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas has done next to nothing in free agency, so this could be the holdup. Once Dak Prescott’s legal situation clears up, the Cowboys could start making moves and bring Gilmore back for a second season.
Even if Stephon Gilmore wants to wait out the Dallas Cowboys, the free agent won’t sit around forever. Eventually, he will sign a deal, and if it’s not with America’s Team, then it could be with one of these other five organizations.
Possible Team Fits
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have done their usual offseason magic, crawling their way out of salary cap hell, and now have $16.69 million in cap space. If they want to win the NFC South for the first time in the post-Drew Brees Era, they’ll need to spend some of that money. The Falcons were the biggest winners of free agency, and the Buccaneers are bringing the band back for one more run. The Saints need a free agent cornerback like Stephon Gilmore to pair with Marshon Lattimore if they want to shut down these high-powered passing attacks.
Miami Dolphins
On paper, the Miami Dolphins starting cornerback duo of Kendall Fuller and Jalen Ramsey is one of the best in the league. However, Ramsey has started to show signs of slowing down, and even if he returns to form in 2024, you need three reliable cornerbacks if you want to slow down the elite passing attacks of the AFC. Stephon Gilmore is probably the best free agent cornerback left on the market, and while he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, the Dolphins should be doing everything they can to win a Super Bowl while Tua Tagovailoa is on a rookie contract.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are saving money for the inevitable Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown extensions, but they still need more help on defense if they want to win it all. Free agent signing Marcus Davenport will improve the pass rush and Amik Robertson provides some nice depth, but this team needs an above-average starter like Stephon Gilmore. Even if he’s not the player he once was, he’d still be the second-best defensive back on this roster behind Brian Branch.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers won’t be able to move the ball efficiently without any NFL-caliber receivers, so if they want to win games, they’ll need to do it with defense. Last year’s defense was one of the worst in the league, and while Brandon Staley’s scheme didn’t help matters, they still need a free agent cornerback like Stephon Gilmore if they truly want to be an old-school, defensive-led unit.
Kansas City Chiefs
It is a foregone conclusion that the Kansas City Chiefs are going to trade L’Jarius Sneed. Once that happens, the reigning Super Bowl champions are going to need to find a free agent cornerback like Stephon Gilmore. While he is a minor downgrade, he should be a cost-effective starter on a unit with no real weaknesses. As a bonus, Gilmore would also get the chance to chase the second Super Bowl ring of his career.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman – USA Today Sports
