As successful as the Detroit Lions were this past season, it’s clear that they still have some holes on their roster. Take their secondary for example.
The Lions finished just 27th in pass defense in 2023, blatantly indicating the need for help in their defensive backfield.
Fortunately, Detroit is entering the offseason with tons of cap room, so it will have the opportunity to add some pieces at positions of need.
That’s why Jared Ramsey of The Detroit Free Press thinks the Lions could ultimately take a look at Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore is slated to hit free agency next week, and while he may no longer be the same elite corner he was years ago, he remains a steady contributor and is coming off of a solid 2023 campaign in which he played every game and registered 68 tackles, a couple of interceptions, a forced fumble and 13 passes defended.
The 33-year-old, who played his collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, was originally selected by the Buffalo Bills with the 10th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He spent the first five years of his career with the Bills, making the Pro Bowl in his final season with the club.
However, Gilmore did not really break out until joining the New England Patriots in 2017. In four seasons with the Patriots, he made three trips to the Pro Bowl and earned a couple of First-Team All-Pro selections. Most importantly, he helped lead the team to a Super Bowl during the 2018-19 campaign.
Since then, Gilmore has spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and, most recently, the Cowboys.
He is clearly on the decline, but he remains good enough where he would certainly help the Lions’ ailing secondary.
We’ll see if Detroit makes a push for him in free agency.