Patriots: 3 Defensive Players Who’ll Have a Standout Year

1. Stephon Gilmore, Cornerback

Last but not least, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore. It seems as if Gilmore unlocked a new level of football IQ in regards to understanding opposing receivers and offenses last season than he ever had before.

We’re expecting him to follow through with his stellar performance and continue to shut down opposing receivers every week, which will be a tough task to say the least, as the receiving corps have immensely improved throughout the entire league from just a season ago.

Looking specifically at the AFC East, Gilmore will now be up against one of the best route runners in the league at least twice a year in Stefon Diggs, as well as DeVante Parker, who was one of the only receivers to be somewhat successful when covered by Gilmore last year.

Everyone may have been surprised when Belichick signed Gilmore to a five-year, $65 million contract in 2017, but he knew then what we all know now: that he was capable of becoming a Defensive Player of the Year candidate, making this signing one of the top acquisitions in Belichick’s/Patriots history.

I also foresee newly acquired veteran defensive lineman Beau Allen and veteran linebacker Brandon Copeland making a strong presence in their first season in New England.