Former Defensive Player of the Year and All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore still has yet to be signed as we are just about a month away from training camp.
In 2023, Gilmore played and started in all 17 games for the Dallas Cowboys, recording two interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and a forced fumble, showing he can still be durable and productive even at 33.
The former Super Bowl champion is past his prime, yet Gilmore is the highest-ranked free agent still unsigned, according to PFF. At this point in his career, it’s about winning, but some teams could use his services and still have him as a threat in coverage.
Where would Gilmore fit best?
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have improved their secondary, drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, while also reuniting with C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Despite a Wild Card loss in 2023, the Eagles are expected to reclaim the NFC East, and Gilmore could help them do that.
Ranking 28th in coverage last season, Philadelphia struggled mightily. With Gilmore, he can not only improve the defense but also be a mentor for Mitchell and DeJean, where one of them would likely be thrown into the starting lineup.
Between him, Darius Slay, and James Bradberry, Gilmore had the best 2023 according to the stats, so it definitely wouldn’t hurt to bring him in.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are now a contender, which should automatically make Detroit an attractive destination for Gilmore. The Lions traded for veteran Carlton Davis, another Super Bowl champion, and with Gilmore, they could add more veteran leadership to a secondary with rookies Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Detroit would likely have Gilmore play the slot, which is probably best at this point in his career, but the biggest perk is playing on a team that just started to turn heads last season. The Lions are the favorites to win the NFC North once again and could make a serious run in the postseason.
Houston Texans
Aside from Derek Stingley Jr., the Texans don’t have a deep cornerback room. Gilmore could easily come in and be a starter with Stingley Jr. in Houston, making an impact while also playing for a team that just made the Divisional Round in 2023.
Jeff Okudah is a journeyman at this point, and Myles Bryant, although having his best season yet in 2023, was not as impactful as Gilmore was. The Pro Bowl CB is better than those two and can be a veteran sidekick next to Stingley, who’s entering his third year and is already seeing a lot of success.
Kansas City Chiefs
By far the best situation Gilmore could walk into, the Chiefs are coming off of yet another Super Bowl victory, and have room to slide Gilmore in as a slot corner. Jaylen Watson, 2022’s seventh-round selection, should see good time, but Gilmore is the veteran who can keep the Chiefs consistent in their pursuit to three-peat.
Because this is the best situation for Gilmore as his career starts to decline, it’s the probable option, and Kansas City should be able to offer him solid money, given that they still have about $13 million in cap space.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are likely to move on from Gilmore after they signed former first-round corner Gareon Conley, but it’s important to note that Conley hasn’t played since 2019. It was an interesting decision, but it seems Dallas isn’t willing to open the checkbook for 33-year-old Gilmore.
However, if talks continue to stall between Gilmore and other teams, it only gives Dallas more leverage. Gilmore said he’s being patient in finding the right team, but who knows where he’ll end up. He was a more-than-solid piece for the Cowboys in 2023, and Gilmore should consider Dallas as a last-resort team.
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