Should the Cowboys sign Stephon Gilmore?
Should the Dallas Cowboys sign recently-released cornerback Stephon Gilmore? We take a look at the situation for Dallas.
On Tuesday night, the Dallas Cowboys surprisingly released linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Only 12 hours later on Wednesday morning, the New England Patriots did the same with cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Although the moves aren’t connected, Smith’s exit may quickly turn into Gilmore’s entrance to the Dallas Cowboys.
Should the Dallas Cowboys sign Stephon Gilmore?
Dallas’ defense has been a pain point for the team over the last couple of seasons. This year, the standout performances of young players corner Trevon Diggs and rookie linebacker Micah Parsons are helping the Cowboys’ defense to trend in the right direction. Timely turnovers and a high-scoring offense has helped to mask the struggles that are still there.
Through four weeks, the Dallas defense is 31st in the league in passing yards allowed giving up 315.3 yards a game. Aside from Diggs, who is quickly developing into one of the league’s most-feared corners, the secondary is rather subpar.
It is evident why during the 2021 NFL draft, the Cowboys No. 1 priority was a cornerback. With Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II drafted in the two spots immediately before Dallas’ original pick, they opted to trade back two spots and draft Parsons. While the Parsons pick is paying off, they now have the opportunity to fulfill their need at the other corner position.
Stephon Gilmore released by Patriots
Gilmore is one of the few shutdown corners in the NFL. In the four-time Pro Bowler’s last full season, 2019, he was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Patriots’ No. 1 defense.
After partially tearing his quad in 2020, Gilmore started the 2021 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. With one year remaining on his deal, he wanted to negotiate a new pact representative of his status as a top corner in the league. Between his health and contract desires, Gilmore and New England couldn’t get on the same page and now is set to be released.
A player of Gilmore’s caliber will be highly-coveted on the market, even with him coming of an injury and a desire for a big contract.
The Cowboys should be one of the top teams willing to do whatever is necessary to get him on the roster. With Gilmore set to return to the field in the coming weeks, pairing him with Diggs will give Dallas one of the best cornerback duos in the league and will surely improve their passing defense.