By: Josh Shippen
Stephon Gilmore is a well reputable cornerback of the New England Patriots whose name has been floating around in trade discussions for the last year. Gilmore was the recipient of the defensive player of the year award in 2019, which will make his stock in the trade market very high. This article will break down the most likely destinations for this great corner.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are attempting to build themselves a strong young team, but even youth needs its wisdom and Gilmore would be great as that wisdom. The Jaguars are practically bathing in cap room and are in desperate need at just about every position, including cornerback. Additionally, the Jaguars have many high picks in 2021 and 2022 that they could theoretically use as bait to lure the Patriots.
The Jaguars’ four best corners are a pretty sorry group. Shaquill Griffin, the best of the group by far, is a former Seahawks corner that signed a pretty big multi-year deal with the Jaguars, but free agent signings are very hit or miss so we will see. Next up on the depth chart is D.J. Hayden, one of the many draft busts of 2017; Sidney Jones who the Eagles desperately held on to much longer than they needed to, and Tre Herndon who has been a middling backup for three seasons. The Jags also have C.J. Henderson, a rookie who had an down first year with Jacksonville.
Gilmore makes sense on this team, and the Jaguars would be wise to spend a pick on him instead of trying to develop these other unproven players thus far.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals in my opinion had one of the worst offseason signings when they overpaid for Chidobe Awuzie, and the lack of depth behind Awuzie plus the departure of William Jackson III in free agency means that the Bengals are now in depserate need of a corner in a division that has Big Ben, Baker Mayfield, and former MVP Lamar Jackson. The Bengals have plenty of cap room and picks to spare, so why not give Gilmore a roster spot?
The Bengals backup cornerbacks are Trae Waynes who was also overpaid in free agency and missed the entirity of the 2020, Eli Apple who has effectively been declared a bust, and Mike Hilton who while he had a good season in Pittsburgh, is still very much a young, unproven player.
The Bengals’ free agency is likely not going to help them out too much, and if I were them I would want to secure as many “sure thing” assets as I could before delving into the unpredictability of the Draft.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are about two or three players away from being a serious competitor in the NFC, but the departure of Patrick Peterson needs to be filled by somebody more competent than Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford. Bringing Gilmore in is going to bring a lot of strength and depth to the Cardinals’ defense, and might ensure that they are a playoff candidate in 2021 assuming Gilmore’s play is up to snuff.
The Cardinals’ secondary has been struggling for a few years, especially amidst declining play and whispers of a trade with their longtime starter Patrick Peterson.
The Cardinals are extremely close as a strong reliable team that can make the playoffs and even make the Super Bowl if all breaks well. If they were to trade Gilmore then their chances will be considerably higher.
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