The New England Patriots are in the middle of their organized team activities this month with minicamp and training camp to follow.
However, New England still has a ton of cap space left to use in whatever way they seem fit. And, while they might want to carry over a significant chunk of it, the Patriots should consider adding more talented players to their roster.
One veteran who's still on the market who Eliot Wolf and company should reach out to is cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore, 33, is no stranger to the halls of Gillette Stadium, as he played for New England from 2017-20, earning two First-team All-Pros, three Pro Bowls and a Defensive Player of the Year. He also helped the Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53.
In the middle of the 2021 season, before Gilmore even stepped on the field due to being on the reserve/physically unable to perform list with a quad injury, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
The former Gamecock played the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys and playing the 2023 season with them.
New England has two capable starting outside cornerbacks in Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones, but they could use more help, as the depth is pretty questionable. After the top two, the Patriots only have rookies Marcellas Dial, Mikey Victor and Kaleb Ford-Dement as well as Isaiah Bolden and Azizi Hearn.
Even though Gilmore isn't in the team's long-term plans, he could certainly be another leader for the group and help coach up some of the young players that the Patriots have in their secondary.
And, we're past the first few waves of free agency, the price shouldn't be crazy.
