‘Best Fit’ for Former Defensive Player of the Year goes to the Ravens.
Even though elite players have been flying off the roster during the more than week-long free agency period, there are still some real jewels available for the patient general manager. It might entail taking a shot at former Defensive Player of the Year CB Stephon Gilmore for the Baltimore Ravens and Eric DeCosta.
The Ravens are the “Best Fit” for the seasoned cornerback, according to a piece by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell titled “Best team fits for 20 unsigned players.”
“Gilmore has been consistent across multiple teams and defenses,” said Barnwell. “In five of the past six seasons, he has produced a passer rating in coverage between 73 and 83; the only exception was his Defensive Player of the Year campaign with the Pats, when that mark fell to 44.1.”
Gilmore is still a good cornerback, but the Cowboys only used him on one side of the field, so he didn’t frequently accompany the top wide receiver on the other team, according to Barnwell.
On Tuesday, March 19, the Ravens signed Arthur Maulet to fill the nickelback/slot position, but they may still be searching for another defensive back to bolster their group.
“He’s not the receiver-eraser he was during his peak with Bill Belichick, but he’s not getting paid to be that player,” voiced Barnwell’s warning.
The estimated worth of Spotrac’s market value tool is $11 million for a year, but given DeCosta’s current free agency status, he might wait to see if the price drops.
Veteran and Super Bowl Experienced Stephon Gilmore
In the first round of the 2012 draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Gilmore, who has traveled across the league throughout his distinguished career. The cornerback truly took off after being nominated to the Pro Bowl in 2016 despite being an outstanding player for the Bills.
Gilmore’s career, however, took off with the division foe New England Patriots, where he was a defensive juggernaut.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times during his four years with the Patriots, was twice voted to the All-Pro First Team, and in 2019 he was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Gilmore was also a vital component of the 2018 Patriots Super Bowl squad, as he picked off Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the Super Bowl and had two interceptions in the playoffs.
Barnwell stated that Gilmore’s four-year tenure with four different teams “reinforces both his value as a veteran cornerback and teams’ reluctance to commit to him on a multiyear deal.”
Gilmore has been a vital member of the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and Cowboys since leaving the Patriots.
The cornerback has accumulated 31 interceptions, 140 passes defended, and 561 combined tackles in his 13-year career.
The Cornerback Unit of the Ravens Needs Improvement
While the Ravens’ 2023 cornerback group was quite successful, they faced hardships for much the whole campaign.
“The Ravens’ experience at cornerback last season was rather unpredictable due to several injuries. Rock Ya-Sin sustained an injury in the summer and never returned to his full-time position, while Marlon Humphrey was in and out of the starting lineup due to a variety of injuries, according to Barnwell.
It was expected that veterans Ronald Darby and Maulet would contribute crucial snaps to cover the gaps. Although Barnwell claims that “the organization aborted the plan to move Brandon Stephens to safety and kept him at cornerback,” Brandon Stephens also had a breakout season and played a significant role.
Barnwell stated that Humphrey and Stephens are the two best corners on the team because Darby, Maulet, and Ya-Sin are all free agents. Although Maulet may be brought back by the Ravens, Darby departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Barnwell continues, “The Ravens would have flexibility as they approach the remainder of their offseason if they signed Gilmore, who would lock down one side of the field.”
