Can Stephon Gilmore win DPOY in consecutive seasons?

Stephon Gilmore took home the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award after an outstanding season.

In the league’s latest NFL 100 rankings, New England Patriots cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore ranked ninth following his outstanding 2019 campaign. Only one defensive player ranked ahead of him, lineman Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams.

In 2019, Gilmore proved that he was one of the NFL’s best players, dominating his side of the field on defense. Gilmore was a massive part of a Patriots defense that ranked number one in the NFL in yards allowed and points scored. He led the NFL in passes deflected and interceptions in 2019.  It’s clear he’s one of the league’s top defenders, but will he be able to repeat as DPOY in 2020?

In recent years, repeating as DPOY hasn’t been too rare. Aaron Donald took home the award in 2017 and 2018 while J.J. Watt won in 2014 and 2015. Before then, Lawrence Taylor was the only player to take home the award in back-to-back seasons, when he did so in 1981 and 1982.

In the entire history of the award, only eight players have won multiple times. None of them have been cornerbacks. In general, it’s tough for cornerbacks to take home the award. Only six corners have won DPOY since it was first given out in 1971. Before Gilmore, the last corner to win was Charles Woodson in 2009.

It won’t be easy for Stephon Gilmore to repeat in 2020.

It would be a huge accomplishment for Gilmore to repeat in 2020. He’ll certainly have his work cut out for him. The Patriots 2020 schedule is the hardest in the NFL. Gilmore will match up against the likes of Deandre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Courtland Sutton, and Stefon Diggs next season. It was never going to be easy for Gilmore to repeat, but the schedule didn’t do him any favors. Gilmore has always matched up against some of the NFL’s top receivers, so if he can play the same way he did in 2019, he’ll undoubtedly see success.

The Patriots defense has lost a fair share of veterans heading into 2020. Their two top sack getters, Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins both left in free agency. Staples of the Patriots defense Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung have both opted out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Patriots could have trouble getting to the quarterback next season, which will make Gilmore’s job that much harder. Gilmore will need to cover his assignment for longer, which could lead to more completions allowed.

However, the Patriots secondary is still extremely solid. Devin McCourty will return once again and provide excellent help for Gilmore when he needs it. They also added former All-Pro safety Adrian Phillips, who will now see a big chunk of playing time after Patrick Chung’s decision. Another year for J.C Jackson should see him build upon his excellent 2019 campaign. Gilmore definitely has the help he needs in the secondary.

It’s also important to consider who will challenge Gilmore for the award. Of course, Aaron Donald will contend for the award for years to come, as will Khalil Mack and Bobby Wagner. T.J. Watt is another player who could make a case for the award next season. He made his first All-Pro team in 2019 after racking up 14.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss.

Gilmore will turn 30 in September, which means he should have a few years left in his prime. If he can perform the same way he did last season, there’s no reason he can’t repeat as Defensive Player of the Year. We have seen Gilmore turn into an absolute monster since he joined the Patriots in 2017. In every year, he’s improved upon his previous campaign. Who’s to say that doesn’t happen again in 2020?