2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year’s Case for Canton
Stephon Gilmore has decided to hang up his cleats after 13 seasons in the NFL. Gilmore has one of the best cornerback careers in modern history. The former first-round pick is just one of 12 defensive backs and seven cornerbacks to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. Gilmore has had a long and successful career that is sure to earn him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A College Phenom from South Carolina
The ball-hawking defensive playmaker was born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Attending South Pointe High School alongside future NFL players DeVonte Holloman and Jadeveon Clowney. The Former Defensive Player of the Year played two positions in high school, switching between cornerback and quarterback. In Gilmore’s senior season, South Pointe went 15-0 and won a state championship. He was a three-sport athlete, also participating in basketball and track. Gilmore was ranked as a four-star recruit in the class of 2009.
Several major programs recruited Gilmore, including Alabama and Clemson, but he ultimately decided to attend South Carolina, his home state. The new Gamecock graduated early to attend South Carolina and attend spring practice. The savvy coverage specialist had an immediate impact, being named a starter as a true freshman. A rare feat in the Southeastern Conference of college football. Stephon went on to start the rest of his career, finishing his college career with 181 combined tackles, 140 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and eight interceptions. He had an exceptional combine performance, earning him a first-round draft grade, and ranked as the second-best cornerback in the 2012 draft.
The Jump to the Big Leagues
The Bills made a major defensive investment with their 10th overall pick in 2012, selecting a cornerback built to lock down top receivers. He was a day-one starter for Buffalo, playing every game of the 2012 season. Gilmore finished out a strong rookie season, finishing with 62 total tackles, 52 solo tackles, one interception, and 16 pass deflections. In just one season, he had become one of the NFL’s best young corners and solidified his place as the Bills' number one corner.
The experienced secondary leader made his name in Buffalo. During his time with the Bills, the organization was in a rut. He played with three different head coaches, as the Bills repeatedly missed the playoffs. Despite multiple injuries, including a torn labrum, and a rotating coaching staff, Gilmore continued to improve each season. The peak of his time in Buffalo was in 2016 when he was named to his first Pro Bowl. Following his Pro Bowl appearance, Gilmore decided to hit the market and test free agency after the Bills declined to offer him a contract.
The Patriots and Cementing Himself in the History Books
At the start of free agency in 2017, news broke that the Patriots and Gilmore had agreed to terms on a contract. The contract was a five-year, $65 million deal, with $18 million guaranteed at signing and $40 million total guaranteed. Bill Belichick named the coverage technician as CB1 coming into the 2017 season. Although he was solid in 2017, the defensive backfield anchor did not earn any awards. In 2018, he pulled together another strong season, earning Pro Bowl honors and making his first All-Pro team.
2019 was Gilmore’s best season as a pro and the season that etched his name in the history books. Recording a career-high six-interception season, along with two pick-sixes. Adding to his dominance in the secondary, he recorded a career-high 20 passes defended. Gilmore did not give up a touchdown reception until Week 16. The Patriots were a dominant team in 2019, finishing 12-4 and winning the AFC East. Unfortunately, the Patriots were knocked out in the Wild Card Round by the Tennessee Titans. The trusted matchup corner was rewarded for his remarkable season, being named to the Pro Bowl, an All-Pro, and DPOY, the first cornerback to win the award in a decade, and the first Patriot to win the award.
The rest of Gilmore’s time in New England was uneventful. In 2020, he played only 11 games and had to end the season early due to a knee injury and a torn quad. Despite the injuries, the veteran shutdown corner made his third Pro Bowl appearance. 2021 was another disappointing start, as he was still recovering from his torn quad that ended his 2020 season. New England opened the 2021 season by placing him on the inactive/physically unable to perform list. Shortly after the start of the season, the Patriots traded their quiet defensive assassin to the Carolina Panthers, ending his time with the Patriots. The partnership in New England turned out to be highly successful for both sides. In New England, he put together one of the most accomplished stretches of his career, winning a Super Bowl, making three Pro Bowls, earning two All-Pro selections, and taking home Defensive Player of the Year.
Final Years of a Legend
Ending his Carolina run on a high note, he earned the fifth and final Pro Bowl selection of his career. After leaving Carolina, he signed a two-year contract with the Colts. After a solid 2022 season with the Colts, he was traded to the Cowboys in 2023. In Dallas, Gilmore had finally shown signs of slowing down. Even with effective stats, he was a step behind the next generation of wide receivers. Gilmore ended his career in 2025 with the Minnesota Vikings, where he had his worst season as a pro.
Making the Case
There is no doubt that Gilmore’s peak is one of the highest for a cornerback in NFL history. Even if his name isn’t always placed among the all-time greats, his impact on the game has secured his place in history books. As storied as the Patriots were during the Belichick era, he is the only one to win the DPOY award. Part of an elite group of just seven cornerbacks to ever earn Defensive Player of the Year honors, he is in elite company alongside Hall of Famers Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders.
