NFL Analysis Network

3 Early Potential NFL Free Agency Destinations For Stephon Gilmore

The last few seasons have not gone as well as cornerback Stephon Gilmore had hoped. After winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, he has struggled to replicate that success, battling some injuries.

Gilmore has appeared in only 19 games the last two seasons and had a contract dispute with the New England Patriots along the way as well. He began the 2021 season on the physically unable to perform list and was eventually traded to the Carolina Panthers.

He appeared in eight games with the Panthers, recording two interceptions, two passes defended and 16 total tackles, but was a part-time player for most of his tenure. He played fewer than 65 percent of the snaps in six out of the eight games, including three instances of playing 32 percent or fewer.

Gilmore, who will turn 32-years old early in the season, is now hitting free agency. His age could slow his market down, but he has shown that he can still get the job done when healthy.

Where could he land this offseason? Here are three potential free agency destinations for Gilmore.

3. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time in 11 years this season. They ultimately fell short against the Los Angeles Rams and are starting their 2022 NFL offseason.

One of the areas of need for San Francisco is cornerback. They received spotty production from their secondary this season and could use an upgrade. Gilmore would present a good one if they can figure out a way to fit him into their salary cap.

The 49ers ranked 23rd in coverage grade this season as they began figuring things out at the end of the season. Stephon Gilmore would help stabilize things at the back end of their defense that already has a strong front seven ahead of them.

2. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys could use some help in the secondary. While Trevon Diggs was all over highlight reels this season with his 11 interceptions, he was on just as many wide receiver highlight reels for how often he was burned.

Diggs is an excellent playmaker, but he was the only cornerback in the NFL to surrender more than 900 yards receiving this season, and he gave up over 1,000. Dallas could use a strong option across from him and Gilmore would make some sense.

Gilmore could handle the No. 1 assignment on the opposing offense, taking some pressure off of Diggs. 

1. Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders were an unlikely playoff team in 2021, but have the makings of a team that could make regular appearances in the postseason going forward. They will be under new management in 2022, as general manager Mike Mayock was fired after the season.

One of the things near the top of the new front office’s to-do list will be upgrading the secondary. Cornerback is a need and Stephon Gilmore would be an excellent addition to fill that need. 

Casey Hayward Jr. and Brandon Facyson, the team’s starters in 2021, are both hitting free agency this offseason. Damon Arnette, the team’s first-round pick in 2020, was released after a video surfaced of him threatening violence and brandishing weapons.

With a great pass rush in place, Las Vegas needs to upgrade behind them and Stephon Gilmore is among the best options available this offseason at cornerback.

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