3. Stephon Gilmore, New England Patriots
The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year (a well-deserved honor), Gilmore proved to be the perfect example of how a player’s natural and acquired attributes can meet the perfect system for his skill set with amazing results. Gilmore was a lockdown guy in any coverage, but he was particularly dominant in man coverage — which was good, because the Patriots played it on 54% of their snaps last season. In any kind of man coverage, Gilmore allowed 28 catches on 62 targets for 424 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions, and an opposing QBR of 34.1. As we are about to see, New England’s secondary is the place where passes go to die against man coverage.
Kevin King | Marcus Peters | William Jackson III | Bradley Roby | Quinton Dunbar | Steven Nelson | Tre’Davious White | Tre Flowers | Stephon Gilmore | Jason McCourty | J.C. Jackson