Stephon Gilmore sets tone for New England Patriots in 2020
Stephon Gilmore will set the tone for the New England Patriots defense Sunday.
Stephon Gilmore is known for his quality play as a member of the New England Patriots. He is the defense’s best player. He will have to set the tone for them and he’s ready to do just that in Week 1.
Stung by the loss of other key players on the defensive line and linebacker corps, Gilmore nevertheless still leads a defensive backfield that may be the best in the NFL. And he’s the best of the best.
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Last season, Gilmore was named NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year. Recent previous winners are a who’s who of great NFL defenders. They include Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, J.J. Watt, and Luke Kuechly. Gilmore stands right with that amazing group in talent and achievement.
He also won the Pro Football Writers Association Defensive Player of the Year award. These are major achievements for the soon to be 30-year-old cornerback.
In addition, he has been named first-team All-Pro the past two seasons. It’s no stretch to say that Gilmore is the best cornerback in the National Football League. He is also very likely the best free-agent acquisition in Patriots history.
He signed a five-year $65M contract in 2017 and has not looked back. Entering his ninth year in the league and his age 30 season in 2020, Gilmore seems to be getting better with age. Opposing quarterbacks throw in his direction at their peril.
Having Gilmore at the ready at left cornerback provides the Patriots defense with an ace to lock down some of the NFL’s the best receivers. In 2019, Gilmore had a career-best 6 interceptions. He is complemented by an emerging star corner, J.C. Jackson, an undrafted free agent two years ago.
Jackson has blossomed into a premier cover corner himself with terrific hands as signified by his eight interceptions over his first two seasons. Gilmore and Jackson tallied an imposing 11 interceptions between them in 2019.
Looking toward Sunday, Gilmore, and Jackson along with Jonathan Jones and Jason McCourty will provide one of, if not the most talented corner tandems in the league. New England will need it.
The bad news is, New England lost productive defensive players in Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, and Elandon Roberts at linebacker and also their nose tackle, Danny Shelton who had a great year in 2019. In addition, the safety group lost steady starter Patrick Chung to opt-out.
Devin McCourty is still there along with Terrence Brooks, second-round draft pick Kyle Dugger, and possibly last’s year’s second-round pick Joejuan Williams, who may be moved over from cornerback. The other safeties are essentially special team players who also play safety, so the depth is a bit thin there.
Sunday’s test is against a Miami team that beat the Patriots at home in December in a game that altered the Patriots playoff fortunes completely. They are seemingly never an easy win.
This game is a good first test against a divisional rival for the new-look 2020 New England Patriots defense.
Yet, the good news is the defensive backfield remains the strongest unit on defense and arguably the strongest on the team. So lots of pressure will be placed on Gilmore and that group generally to hold the line.
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The Patriot’s defensive hopes will rely significantly on these defensive backs. Hopefully, led by Gilmore, they will continue to be a real strength of the team in 2020.