With the 2024 NFL Draft officially over, cornerback Stephon Gilmore and many a free agent will soon find new NFL homes. Now entering his age-34 season, Gilmore is not the lockdown cornerback he once was, but the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year is still a solid starter. Last year, the veteran started opposite Da’Ron Bland, finishing the season with 13 passes defended, two interceptions, and a 74.4 PFF grade.
Despite his advanced age, Stephon Gilmore can still help a team as a free agent, and he could reunite with one of his former clubs. According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, the Panthers are likely to sign Gilmore and pair him opposite Jaycee Horn.
Free Agent Stephon Gilmore Likely To Reunite With Carolina Panthers
This report does not come as much of a surprise, as the Panthers have been connected to Stephon Gilmore throughout the free agent process. Gilmore earned a Pro Bowl selection back in 2021 during his lone season with the Carolina Panthers, and even though the regimes have changed since then, he’s a natural fit for this defense.
Jaycee Horn has lockdown potential when healthy, but the former first-round pick struggles to stay on the field. This team needs another boundary cornerback, as their only draft addition was Chau Smith-Wade, a prospect better off in the slot. Stephon Gilmore should enjoy the opportunity to play for his former team, and Jadeveon Clowney has tried to recruit him as a free agent.
Of course, Carolina shouldn’t be the only team interested in signing Stephon Gilmore as a free agent. Gilmore is easily the best cornerback left on the market, and there is no such thing as too many reliable players capable of slowing down opposing passing attacks.
Other Potential Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs have yet to find a proper replacement for L’Jarius Sneed. After trading the cornerback for a future third-round pick, the reigning Super Bowl champions have not invested in an adequate starter to pair with Trent McDuffie. Perhaps they believe in Joshua Williams, but Stephon Gilmore is the best free agent option available. The cornerback will likely sign with the highest bidder, but he might be willing to take a slight discount to chase a ring with Patrick Mahomes.
Atlanta Falcons
General manager Terry Fontenot admitted that the Falcons wanted to select a cornerback in the NFL Draft, but the board didn’t fall their way. Despite what the Michael Penix selection would tell you, the Falcons are all-in on 2024 and must build the best roster possible to make the most of Kirk Cousins. Stephon Gilmore would do wonders for this secondary, and the Falcons have the cap space to make a competitive offer for the free agent.
Green Bay Packers
Losing Joe Barry is addition by subtraction, but an improved scheme won’t fix every issue with the Packers defense. Somebody needs to start opposite Jaire Alexander, and Stephon Gilmore is the perfect free agent option. The Packers have already aggressively signed Xavier McKinney and Josh Jacobs, so they might as well address one of the few areas of needs they didn’t get in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers spent most of the 2024 NFL Draft adding some much-needed talent to the offensive side of the ball. While one can’t fault the team for this strategy, it means that Los Angeles still needs to find a boundary cornerback. Stephon Gilmore is the best free agent option out there, and you can never have too many defensive back when you share a division with Patrick Mahomes and a revamped receiving core.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens knocked it out of the park with the Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa selections. Down the road, both players should be valuable parts of this secondary. With that being said, Baltimore needs to win now, and Stephon Gilmore can help this team do just that as a free agent. Adjusting to the NFL is no easy feat, and Gilmore can provide a steadying veteran presence while the two rookies get used to the speed of the professional game.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
