Every offseason, NFL Network releases its list of the top 100 players entering the new season. While the ranking is not the definitive measure of performance in the league, it is a reflection of how a player is viewed among his peers: after all, the players themselves are the ones voting for it. Judging by this, the New England Patriots defender that made an appearance on Monday’s show certainly enjoys considerable respect in the NFL.
#22 CB Stephon Gilmore
For the first time in his career, Stephon Gilmore has cracked the Top 100. The 28-year-old did so coming off a spectacular season: not only did he play 97.6% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps over their nineteen games and was named to the first All-Pro team, he also made the game-clinching interception in Super Bowl 53. The highest-ranked cornerback on this year’s list, Gilmore was a key cog in the Patriots’ secondary in 2018 as not just the team’s best coverage defender but arguably the league’s as well.
Quote of note: “Big-time player made a big-time play in the Super Bowl. It’s tough to talk about it right now, I’m still a little sensitive.” — Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods
Gilmore is the third member of the Patriots to crack the list this year:
#22 CB Stephon Gilmore
#89 FS Devin McCourty
#90 WR Julian Edelman
To watch the clips on McCourty and Edelman, please click here.