NFL rumors: 5 teams that should sign Stephon Gilmore immediately

2. Dallas Cowboys are always in the mix for big-name attractions

It isn’t a free-agent party if the Dallas Cowboys aren’t involved. America’s Team is bound to draw the eyes of any top player, and you can guarantee Jerry Jones would do whatever is necessary to get the team back to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1996. Adding Gilmore is pertinent to the hunt.

The Cowboys’ defense is in an interesting position so far in 2021. They rank second-last in passing yards allowed in the NFL but are ninth in passing defense DVOA, in other words: it feels like they’re giving up empty yards. They also led the NFL in interceptions, thanks in large part to the performances of Trevon Diggs, who has five of the Cowboys’ nine picks so far this year. It’s still early, but he could be a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate if he keeps it up.

It’s unsustainable that Diggs can continue to carry a large load of the secondary by himself, though. He needs help from a former Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has added more man-coverage to his playbook, and that bodes well for a guy like Gilmore. As versatile as he is, that’s his bread and butter.

The Cowboys are, by far and away, the best team in the NFC East, but they need more than that. And if that means continuing to bolster the defense by signing someone like Gilmore, then so be it.