The Detroit Lions could target a former Defensive Player of the Year who is nearing the end of his career, according to an outlet. The team needs some help at cornerback this summer.
After spending one season with the Dallas Cowboys, free agent Stephon Gilmore is returning to the open market, and Pro Football Focus has identified the Lions as his favorite destination.
Three cornerbacks, Jerry Jacobs, Kindle Vildor, and Khalil Dorsey, are eligible for free agency. The Lions will likely acquire some players to bolster a squad that saw occasional struggles.
Lions Advised to Target ‘High-Level’ Cornerback
Gilmore, as PFF pointed out, would fit in well with Detroit’s scheme and provide a quality complement to a secondary that had some difficulties in the previous year.
The Kansas City Chiefs might also be in the running for the 33-year-old, according to the site.
“These two teams—especially if L’Jarius Sneed is traded—like to play press-man coverage, made it to their respective conference championship games, and could use some cornerback support,” PFF wrote. “Gilmore, who is still playing at a high level, fits in with these easily.”
Gilmore finished the previous season with 68 total tackles, two interceptions, and thirteen passes defensed.
Gilmore would fit very well in Detroit, according to several insiders.He would be a valuable addition to the secondary, according to Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press, and he would probably enjoy the prospect of playing alongside his brother, Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore.
“Delivered a strong 2023 season for the NFC East-winning Cowboys, and has long been regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, even winning a Defensive Player of the Year in addition to his two All-Pros and five Pro Bowls,” Ramsey wrote. “Despite being nearing the end of his career, he demonstrated his ability to be a top cornerback with a championship background.”
Lions Bring Back Veteran Corner on Team-Friendly Deal
The Lions re-signed veteran Emmanuel Moseley to start filling the secondary’s needs, but they might yet go after a player like Gilmore.
After first signing with the Lions during the offseason, he had to miss the first few games of the season while recovering from an ACL tear. In his first game back, he then sustained another season-ending injury, tearing the ACL on the opposite leg.
Christian Booher of SI.com said that the Lions were able to sign Moseley to a contract that would benefit the team. Moseley returns on a one-year contract earning a total of $2.875 million with $1 million in guaranteed money after signing a one-year, $6 million deal last off-season.
In addition, the Lions hired Deshea Townsend, a seasoned coach, to oversee their defensive passing game and coach the cornerbacks, in an effort to strengthen the secondary. According to Townsend, he wants to inspire every player to give it their all.
According to Townsend, “when I walk into the room, I tell the young guys, it’s your job to take the starters’ job, and the starters, it’s your job to hold them off.” In coaching, it works the same way.
You have to show yourself every day and make sure you’re giving it your all at every chance. I wouldn’t expect anything less from them than I would from myself.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty writes about the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills for Heavy.com. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal.
Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football.Additional information on Nathan Dougherty
