Free agency has been ongoing for over a week and despite top players signing contracts, there are still valuable players available for patient general managers. For the Baltimore Ravens and Eric DeCosta, it could mean pursuing former Defensive Player of the Year CB Stephon Gilmore.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote an article on “Best team fits for 20 unsigned players” and named the Ravens as the “Best Fit” for the veteran corner.
Barnwell wrote, “Gilmore has been consistent across multiple teams and defenses; he has produced a passer rating in coverage between 73 and 83 in five of the past six seasons, with the lone exception being his Defensive Player of the Year campaign with the Pats, when that mark fell to 44.1.”
“Gilmore is still a capable man cornerback, but the Cowboys kept him on one side of the field, so he wasn’t often traveling with the opposing team’s best wide receiver,” Barnwell went on to say.
The Ravens signed Arthur Maulet to man their nickelback/slot position on Tuesday, March 19, but could still be looking for another contributor for the defensive backs corps.
Barnwell cautioned, “He’s not the receiver-eraser he was during his peak with Bill Belichick, but he’s not getting paid to be that player.”
Spotrac’s market value tool has a projected value of 1-year, $11 million but at this point in free agency DeCosta may wait it out to see if the cost goes lower.
Stephon Gilmore Brings Veteran and Super Bowl Experience
Gilmore was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2012 draft and has made his way around the league during his illustrious career. The corner was exceptional for the Bills and was named to a Pro Bowl in 2016, but really took off after that.
Unfortunately for the Bills, Gilmore’s career took off with division rival New England Patriots where he was a defensive monster.
In four years with the Patriots, he was named to the Pro Bowl four times, named All-Pro First Team twice, and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019.
Additionally, Gilmore was a key member of the 2018 Patriots’ Super Bowl team where he had two interceptions in the playoffs, including a pick of Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff in the Super Bowl.
Barnwell wrote, “Gilmore has played for four different teams in four years, which reinforces both his value as a veteran cornerback and the reticence of teams to commit to him on a multiyear deal.”
Since leaving the Patriots, Gilmore has been a key contributor for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and the Cowboys.
In his 13-year career, the corner has amassed 31 interceptions, 140 passes defended and 561 combined tackles.
Ravens’ Cornerback Group Could Use a Boost
The Ravens cornerback group played exceptionally well during the 2023 season, but they dealt with adversity for almost the whole season.
“Cornerback was a roller coaster for the Ravens last season because of injuries. Marlon Humphrey was in and out of the lineup with various ailments, and Rock Ya-Sin got hurt in the summer and never got back his full-time job,” Barnwell explained.
Veterans Ronald Darby and Maulet were expected to play an important role to fill the gaps. Brandon Stephens also had a significant role and a breakout, but Barnwell stated that the organization changed its plan of moving Brandon Stephens to safety and instead kept him at cornerback.
Barnwell explained that “Darby, Maulet and Ya-Sin are all free agents, leaving Humphrey and Stephens as the two top corners on the roster.” Although the Ravens were able to re-sign Maulet, Darby departed for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Barnwell further elaborated, “Signing Gilmore would secure one side of the field for the Ravens, providing them with flexibility for the rest of their offseason.”
