The New England Patriots currently have the second-best record in the AFC East and should be all-in on the upcoming season. Drake Maye is playing at an MVP level, and the team has the talent to go on a deep playoff run. However, this isn’t a perfect roster, and they could fortify their depth chart by reuniting with former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
It goes without saying that the 35-year-old can no longer play at an All-Pro level, but he was still a solid starter last year with the Minnesota Vikings. Starting and appearing in 15 games, the veteran finished the season with one interception and nine passes defended while helping the team go 14-3. While he’s still a free agent, Stefon Gilmore said he wants to play in the “right situation,” and New England could provide that opportunity.
Patriots Could Reunite With Cornerback Stephon Gilmore
The Patriots are currently 5-2 and comfortably atop the AFC East, but that’s mostly due to Maye and the offense. While the defense isn’t an active liability, there’s certainly room for improvement. As of this posting, the team ranks 15th in EPA/dropback allowed, which isn’t bad until you consider New England’s cakewalk schedule. They’ve been league average against a barrage of poor offenses, so will they be able to slow down an elite passing attack in January?
New England’s biggest need is at edge defender, and they should pursue an upgrade before the trade deadline. However, there may not be a game-breaking talent on the market. Trey Hendrickson is the biggest name available, but Joe Flacco’s strong play might make Cincinnati unwilling to deal their star pass rusher. While they could pursue someone like Tennessee’s Arden Key, he’s not enough to fix the pass rush.
With this in mind, New England could take an unconventional approach to fixing their pass rush by upgrading the secondary. Christian Gonzalez is a lockdown cornerback, and Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones have played well, but the depth behind them leaves a lot to be desired. With Gonzalez and Davis battling injuries throughout the season, Stephon Gilmore could provide the Patriots with some much-needed depth. By improving the coverage, New England’s edge defenders should have more time to get after the quarterback.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images
