These five teams could have a use for Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore finds himself at the center of New England Patriots trade rumors as we approach the Nov. 3 trade deadline.With the team off to an uninspiring 2-4 start, Gilmore seems to have one foot out the door. New England reportedly has had conversations about dealing the two-time All-Pro cornerback, and he even appears to have listed his Foxboro home for sale.It's probably unrealistic for the Patriots to expect a first-round pick in return for a 30-year-old Gilmore, but a second or third-rounder could get the job done. Which NFL teams may be willing to pull the trigger on a Gilmore deal? Let's take a look at five potential suitors.
The Seahawks are a Super Bowl contender, but their defense is a liability. Stephon Gilmore joining Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs in Seattle's secondary certainly could help remedy that issue.
After trading a seventh-round draft pick and offensive lineman B.J. Finney for defensive end Carlos Dunlap on Wednesday, Seattle now only has a second, fourth, and fifth-round selection in 2021. While that may make a deal less likely, there's no doubt the Gilmore could be a real difference-maker for this Seahawks team.
The Titans' defensive backs have struggled mightily in 2020. If Gilmore truly is on the block, head coach Mike Vrabel absolutely should be ringing old friend Bill Belichick's phone off the hook.
With Tennessee in win-now mode, giving up a second or third-round pick for Gilmore probably wouldn't be an issue. Currently, it has one second-rounder and two third-rounders in next year's draft.
One potential hurdle is the Titans currently having $8.3 million in cap space (per Over the Cap). They'd owe Gilmore roughly $8.4 million for the rest of this season and $7.5 million in 2021. The financials are tricky, but it could be worth moving things around as Gilmore could be a missing piece to the Titans' puzzle.
Another Patriot joining Tom Brady down in Tampa Bay? It's possible. The Buccaneers secondary has been solid through the first seven weeks of the season but Gilmore's presence would make this dominant defense even scarier.
There's no shortage of talent in Tampa, which is now 5-2 on the year, but a significant upgrade like Gilmore could be the piece that puts them over the edge. If Brady gets his way, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him get his former teammate to join him on his quest for another Super Bowl title.
Another team in desperate need of help in the secondary, the Saints would be a great fit for Gilmore.
At 4-2 on the year, New Orleans needs to improve this area if it's to make another serious run at a championship. Again, the salary cap situation complicates matters, but the Saints have to make a win-now move with Drew Brees in the twilight of his career even if it's a bit pricey.
Matt Patricia, Danny Amendola, Jamie Collins, Trey Flowers, Duron Harmon, Danny Shelton, Tavon Wilson. Could Stephon Gilmore soon join that list of former Patriots to take their talents to Detroit?
With Desmond Trufant sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Gilmore would be a high-quality replacement. He'd join a cornerback group that already includes promising rookie Jeff Okudah and Justin Coleman.
Perhaps sending a second-round draft pick to New England could make it happen.
