The upcoming NFL free agency period is set to have a multitude of available cornerbacks, which will provide multiple teams with a grand opportunity to bolster their secondary depth.
For one, if a team is aiming to revamp the backend of its cornerback depth, soon-to-be free agents Chris Harris Jr. or Richard Sherman will be among such options in March. On the other hand, if a team aspires to sign a proven, versatile cornerback with expertise in covering the best wideouts in the NFL today, a talent like Stephon Gilmore could fit the bill on this matter.
Gilmore is coming off of a stint with the Carolina Panthers where he featured in eight games over the 2021 season. He joined the Panthers after the New England Patriots parted ways with him for a mere 2023 sixth-round pick ahead of last season's NFL trade deadline.
Plenty of teams sure will look to revitalize their cornerback unit in the offseason, whether in the free agency period or the 2022 NFL Draft. A multitude of teams may be viable fits for Gilmore, but these three teams should give serious consideration to pursuing a move for the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Three best free agency fits for Stephon Gilmore
When the Colts elected to take a chance in the 2020 free agency period by signing cornerback Xavier Rhodes, not much was expected out of him with the team. He was just coming off of a sluggish 2019 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, where he allowed a 123.8 passer rating while in coverage.
In the end, Rhodes surpassed expectations with the Colts as he emerged as a go-to starter during his two-season run in Indianapolis.
Rhodes will become an unrestricted free agent in March, and if the Colts decide to let him walk, they could opt to take the same approach that they had two years ago by signing Gilmore.
Unlike with Rhodes, Gilmore may end up commanding a hefty contract, as Spotrac projects a market value of a $14.1 million average annual value deal for him. The Colts do have multiple positions in need of reinforcements, but as they just missed out on playing playoff football last season coupled with their projected $35.8 million in cap space, the team should consider completing a few win-now moves in order to give themselves a quality chance at winning the AFC South next season.
As with the Colts, the Steelers are also set to face a dilemma regarding a cornerback that wound up surpassing expectations.
Veteran cornerback Joe Haden will become an unrestricted free agent in the coming month. Overall, Haden did not have his most productive season in the 2021 campaign with the Steelers, as he played in 54.1 percent of snaps on defense and allowed a 100.1 passer rating while in coverage. He also missed time over the season due to a nagging foot injury, which saw now-former Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler respond by increasing the snap count for cornerbacks on the team such as James Pierre.
If the Steelers aim to go all out to rejuvenate their cornerback depth in the free agency period, Gilmore could end up being just the right fit for recently appointed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
Whether it was his keen duels against wideouts such as Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs or his sheer ability to come away with crucial takeaways, Gilmore showcased this past season that he still has plenty left in the tank at this point in his career.
The 49ers could end up seeing a multitude of new faces at the cornerback position for the 2022 season. For one, Emmanuel Moseley is set to be the only cornerback on the roster who featured in at least 50 percent of snaps on defense this past season who will return for the next campaign, as both Josh Norman and K’Wuan Williams will be out of a contract in the coming month.
Gilmore could end up taking his talents to the NFC West by possibly joining the 49ers, which Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Richard Sherman sees may end up coming to fruition.
“The cornerback market is going to be interesting because of how people see Gilmore,” Sherman said on his ‘The Richard Sherman Podcast' show on Pro Football Focus. “Gilly’s [Gilmore] been fantastic over his entire career. I look forward to seeing what market he ends up with. I expect him to go West Coast, either Seattle [Seahawks] or San Francisco [49ers] to scoop him up and him to thrive.”
For a team that recently capped off a run to the 2022 NFC Championship Game, it sure would not be a surprise to see the 49ers free up cap space to sign Gilmore to a possible one-year deal.
Gilmore is set to have plenty of options for his next destination in the NFL.
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