It’s tough for a defensive player to be in the conversation for a title like the MVP. Those who earn the prestigious award have to compete with superstar quarterbacks and running backs who are putting up incredible numbers.
Last year, Stephon Gilmore proved that he was one of the best defensive players in the game of football, taking home the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Without Tom Brady in New England, there may be no more important player to don a Patriots uniform this year than Gilmore.
NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus went through all 32 teams and predicted who would be the most valuable player for each. He believes that if anyone has a chance to be the Patriots’ 2020 MVP, it would be the 29-year-old cornerback.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore leads a stellar Patriots secondary that represents the team’s best argument for getting back to the playoffs without Tom Brady. How good was Gilmore in 2019? Kurt Warner said on NFL Network’s ‘Film Sessions’ that Gilmore’s work ethic and ability to study an opponent reminds him of Deion Sanders — who might be the greatest cornerback ever. Gilmore is at the peak of his powers and easily the most talented player still in Foxborough. It makes him an easy pick in this exercise.
Gilmore will have a lot of tough assignments this year with De’Vante Parker, Tyler Lockett, Tyreek Hill, Brandon Cooks, DeAndre Hopkin and more on the schedule. However, with the work he seems to be putting in this offseason, the cornerback might be able to handle some of those matchups with ease.
The only players who could really challenge Gilmore for this title are Jarrett Stidham and Julian Edelman.
If Stidham goes out and lights up the competition after playing minimal snaps during his rookie season, he would be deserving of the award. However, it would be pretty bold to make that assumption prior to even seeing the quarterback in training camp.
Edelman has a lot to prove without Brady in New England. Many have considered him a product of Brady’s ability and offense, but Edelman is set to establish himself as his own player. If he can show that he is still the piece that makes the offense go forward, then he has a legitimate shot of earning the title.
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