Seattle Seahawks: Is Stephon Gilmore a Realistic Option?

As the Seattle Seahawks look to return the defense to its position as the best in NFL, what are the chances of adding Stephon Gilmore to the secondary?

Ask most observers both within and outside of the Seattle Seahawks‘ organization, and they’ll admit the cornerback depth isn’t what it used to be. In particular, it pales in comparison to the options they had available during the run to their first championship during the 2013 season.

As well as Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane, the Seahawks also had the likes of Byron Maxwell, Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond. While none of them are performing at the same level anymore (or retired in the case of Thurmond), it doesn’t change the fact Seattle was stacked at the cornerback position.

Now, add in the fact DeShawn Shead is likely to miss at least six weeks at the start of the 2017 season, and this only exposes the secondary even more. As such, it’s no surprise the Seahawks recently added Perrish Cox.

However, it’s fair to say Pete Carroll’s team will need more than Cox, if the cornerback position is going to help the defense once again become the best in the league. The question is, what should they do?

More from Emerald City Swagger

One aspect which helps, is the Seahawks’ salary cap situation, especially with most of their core players signed through the 2018 season. As things stand, they have over $35 million of cap space to use towards the roster in 2017.

Now of course, Seattle still has other areas of need on the team, especially the offensive line. Regardless, they are in a strong position to pursue a significant upgrade at cornerback.

With this in mind, Stephon Gilmore could be just who the front office is looking for. Recently named to his first Pro Bowl, he’s coming off a season which saw him snag a career-high five interceptions, while adding 12 pass defenses.

The Buffalo Bills would understandably like to keep Gilmore, but you have to wonder if they missed their opportunity. They were unable to negotiate a long-term deal with him before last season and he now enters free agency, after playing out the final year of his contract. (It’s worth noting the Bills could use the franchise tag on him, but this would only increase an already tense relationship between the two sides.)

Speaking to NFL.com’s Conor Orr and the rest of the media on Thursday, Gilmore was taking a diplomatic position regarding his current team: “They seem like they’re going to turn it around out there but…I don’t know what’s going to happen. They got a decision to make.”

Even though the market for talented cornerbacks will be strong this offseason, the former 10th overall draft is expected to one of the more popular options. Regardless, he didn’t take the bait when asked where he would like to end up.

Gilmore said: “No hopes. Whatever happens is going to happen. But I want to be wanted wherever I go.”

While the 26-year old would certainly upgrade the Seahawks’ secondary, they still have to guard against overpaying for his services. After all, as good as he is, he isn’t quite as talented as some people — including himself — would have you believe.