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New England Patriots: Top 5 defensive performers of 2018 NFL season

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 02: Dont'a Hightower #54 and Elandon Roberts #52 of the New England Patriots walk through the tunnel before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 02: Dont'a Hightower #54 and Elandon Roberts #52 of the New England Patriots walk through the tunnel before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Stephon Gilmore (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Stephon Gilmore (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

1.    Stephon Gilmore

A 2018 Pro-Bowl selection, All-Pro selection and Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore went from scapegoat in the first half of the 2017 NFL season to the team’s top defensive player in 2018.

With 20 passes defensed and two interceptions during the regular season, Gilmore wore the No. 24 well, making Hall-of-Fame cornerback Ty Law proud.  Graded by Pro Football Focus as the top cornerback in all the NFL, Gilmore proved it with his play throughout the season and through the playoffs.

It was actually fitting when he basically clinched Super Bowl LIII with a late fourth quarter interception off Jared Goff.

In all, Stephon Gilmore’s solid play in the secondary enabled Brian Flores and Bill Belichick to scheme better with the personnel they had.

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A true shutdown corner, Gilmore made Belichick’s decision not to play Malcolm Butler a wise choice.  His play throughout 2018 also validated the team’s decision to sign him to that massive four-year, $65 million deal that shocked the NFL world during free agency in 2017.

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