{"id":76838,"date":"2019-11-25T00:13:10","date_gmt":"2019-11-25T05:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=76838"},"modified":"2019-11-25T09:27:46","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T14:27:46","slug":"stephon-gilmore-nfl-defensive-player-year-frontrunner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/11\/25\/stephon-gilmore-nfl-defensive-player-year-frontrunner\/","title":{"rendered":"Stephon Gilmore Should Be NFL Defensive Player of the Year Frontrunner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Stephon Gilmore<\/a><\/strong> is the best cornerback in the NFL. It\u2019s hard for anyone to debate that fact, as the former first-round pick has played at an elite level over the past two seasons. However, calling him the best cornerback in football simply doesn\u2019t do him enough justice. After his dominant performance in Week 12, Stephon Gilmore should be the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year honors.<\/p>\n

Stephon Gilmore Should Be NFL Defensive Player of the Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Quantifying the Greatness of Stephon Gilmore<\/h3>\n

Stephon Gilmore has played at a ridiculous level throughout the first 12 games of the season. According to Pro Football Focus, Gilmore entered Week 12 with an above-average 73.2 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus. That grade, while impressive, doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. The Patriots play man coverage at one of the highest rates<\/a> in the league, and they play it at an elite level. \u00a0This wouldn\u2019t be possible without Gilmore, as he typically matches up with the opponents\u2019 best receiver and completely takes them out of the game.<\/p>\n

When looking at Gilmore\u2019s traditional stats, it\u2019s almost hard to believe just how good he\u2019s been. Through the first 11 games<\/a> of the season, Stephon Gilmore allowed just 19 receptions on 53 targets for 223 yards, no touchdowns, four interceptions, and 10 pass breakups for an 18.04 passer rating. These numbers would be impressive in any era, but they\u2019re nearly impossible in today\u2019s pass-happy NFL. Coverage data is not yet available for Week 12, but it\u2019s safe to assume Gilmore only improved his ridiculous numbers against the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

One of the most common and laziest narratives around New England\u2019s defensive success is that they haven\u2019t played any legitimate competition. While the Patriots have had an easy schedule, Gilmore has stepped up to the plate every time he\u2019s faced off against elite talent. In Week 12, Gilmore completely erased<\/a> Amari Cooper<\/a><\/strong>, holding him without a catch for the first time in his Cowboys career. This wasn\u2019t really a group effort, as Gilmore followed Cooper<\/a> for 26 of his 30 routes. Put simply, this was a case of an elite player completely eliminating one of the better receivers in the game.<\/p>\n

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Back-to-back shutouts for Stephon Gilmore for his first time as a Patriot. Now has three this season. Hasn't allowed a catch since Week 9 in Baltimore.<\/p>\n

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) November 25, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n