Fansided

10 defensive players to watch in 2020

By William Schneiderhan

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 15: New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore runs during the third quarter. The New England Patriots play the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 21: Stephon Gilmore #24 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Gillette Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /

2. Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots

There is one lone cornerback on this list, and it rightfully goes to Stephon Gilmore after he had one of the greatest single seasons by any corner in NFL history. In doing so, he won AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Gilmore was an integral part of the best defense in the league. He either led the NFL or was tied for the lead in both interceptions (6) and passes defended (20). He was a true, shutdown, man-to-man corner.

Pro Football Reference has a player evaluation tool called “Approximate Value” (AV). Yes, this is no full-proof tool to evaluate a player’s season. However, Gilmore received an AV of 21 last year, which was the highest single-season total for a cornerback since Darrelle Revis also received an AV of 21 in 2009.

Many claim that the 2009 season by Revis was the best season any corner has ever had. That speaks a great deal to how commanding Gilmore’s 2019 was.

Truthfully, it takes a very pure NFL fan to fully appreciate and enjoy watching a corner blanket receivers all game. Why? Because, frankly, it is rather boring. Opposing quarterbacks will refuse to even look towards the side of the field where the corner is, meaning there is not much action.

Though, there is no greater compliment than not throwing or even looking your way as a corner.

Gilmore transformed himself from a solid corner with the Buffalo Bills, to arguably now the best at his position with the Patriots. In three years in New England, he has been named both a Pro Bowler and All-Pro twice, and he has his already discussed AP Defensive Player of the Year award on the shelf.

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