NFL Trade Grades: Cowboys land Stephon Gilmore for pennies from Colts

Stephon Gilmore has been traded to the Cowboys from the Colts in a big move for Dallas. Trade grades for both teams on this big-time deal. 

Dallas Cowboys fans often lament that Jerry Jones doesn’t do anything in the offseason. That has changed on Tuesday.

Not only did the team retain safety Donovan Wilson in free agency but they added another key piece to the secondary in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, landing Stephon Gilmore, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, as reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Let’s hand out trade grades for the Cowboys and Colts in this deal after we look at the details of the swap.

Stephon Gilmore trade details: Cowboys send Day 3 pick to Colts

Let’s take a look at the full trade details:

Per Pelissero’s report, Dallas is only giving up a compensatory fifth-round pick in the trade for Gilmore. That’s extremely cheap draft compensation, especially for a team that is loaded with Day 3 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. We do not know yet whether that pick is No. 169 or 176 as Dallas had two compensatory fifth-round selection’s in this year’s draft.

Cowboys trade grade: Dallas gets the CB help it needs in Stephon Gilmore

Finding a cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs that can be trusted in coverage was a massive need for the Cowboys this offseason. Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright have not developed as the organization had hoped and, when Anthony Brown was injured, that became even more eident as those players were called into duty. And now Brown is a free agent, adding more uncertainty to the position.

Gilmore might not be a certified superstar anymore, but he definitely fills that need and at a reasonable cost for Dallas. Even at 32 years old at this point in his career, Gilmore still graded out well in coverage and is a reliable player in the secondary. With the ball-hawking style of Diggs, having a solid, steady, and disciplined cover corner like Gilmore opposite him is pivotal.

It would be great if the Cowboys could now bring back Brown to play in the slot, really solidifying the secondary. But getting Gilmore for such a cheap price is an unquestioned win.

Cowboys Grade: A-

Colts trade grade: Indianapolis recoups any value it can for Stephon Gilmore

Given what they traded Gilmore for, it’s likely that the Colts were going to cut the cornerback this offseason if they couldn’t find a deal to be made. There’s no way that a team that is ostensibly rebuilding as they try to find a long-term answer at quarterback wanted to pay a corner on the wrong side of 30 years old $9.92 million on the cap this year.

Even if it is just a late-fifth-rounder, something is better than nothing in terms of return, which means it’s overall favorable, even if not overwhelming. Plus, another dart to throw at the board on Day 3 fits much more of where Indianapolis is as a franchise.

Colts Grade: B-