{"id":55102,"date":"2020-07-21T21:44:32","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T02:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=55102"},"modified":"2021-08-29T07:16:45","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T07:16:45","slug":"lazars-ten-most-important-patriots-list-no-2-stephon-gilmore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=55102","title":{"rendered":"Lazar’s Ten Most Important Patriots List: No. 2, Stephon Gilmore"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether it\u2019s league executives or the media, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore currently holds the crown as the league’s best cornerback.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last season, Gilmore had the second-highest approximate value of any player, trailing only league MVP Lamar Jackson, and the highest wins above replacement of any defensive player, per Pro Football Focus.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pats cornerback also tied for the league-lead in interceptions (six), led all players in pass breakups (20), and since 2017, leads all cornerbacks with 54 forced incompletions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gilmore excels in man coverage, but the numbers and tape show that he\u2019s excellent in zone coverage as well. In 2019, opposing quarterbacks only completed 45.2 percent of their throws with four interceptions and a 34.1 QBR into Gilmore\u2019s man coverage. In zone, Gilmore allowed a stingy 45.8 completion rate and a positive play rate of 41.7 percent into his coverage (source:\u00a0<\/span>Doug Farrar<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And Gilmore\u2019s coverage stats weren\u2019t solely a product of a potent pass rush either.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Pro Football Focus, Gilmore led all cornerbacks in PFF grade when the opposing quarterback had a clean pocket (91.5) and also had five interceptions in those situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To understand what makes Gilmore so successful, one must first understand his mindset.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year approaches every rep like a game of chicken; whoever moves off their spot first at the line loses, so he stays incredibly patient.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gilmore has the luxury to keep his hips square until the receiver declares his route because of elite physical tools that include great size, speed, length, agility, and flexibility. Plus, he knows the receiver has to run his route eventually since the quarterback doesn’t have all day in the pocket.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although his technique and intelligence sometimes overshadow his freakish athleticism, Gilmore received an elite 9.74 relative athletic score (out of ten) at the 2012 scouting combine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n