JUST IN: Raiders Urged to Spend Jimmy Garoppolo Savings on 5-Time Pro Bowler
Back in late April, during the NFL draft’s early picks, the Raiders faced an unexpected situation. Not only was their potential No. 13 pick, Michael Penix Jr., selected by the Falcons at No. 8, but a total of six quarterbacks, including Bo Nix, were taken within the top 12 picks.
The general expectation was that if the Raiders did not draft a quarterback at No. 13, they would address their long-term cornerback need with one of the many talented options available. However, the allure of game-changing tight end Brock Bowers was too strong, and the Raiders selected him instead.
The Raiders did not revisit their need for cornerback help until the fourth round, when they picked Decamerion Richardson from Mississippi State, and later selected MJ Devonshire from Pitt in the seventh round.
Given this context, Bleacher Report is once again urging the Raiders to make an obvious move: sign veteran star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Raiders CBs Come With Plenty of Risks
In the article “6 Post-June 1 Moves That NFL Teams Should Make Before Training Camp,” Matt Holder of B/R suggests that signing Gilmore would be a logical move for the Raiders. The team has the financial capability for this acquisition, thanks to the additional cap space created by cutting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
While Garoppolo’s signing was a misstep, the Raiders could make the best of the situation by using the saved funds to bring in Gilmore.
“According to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Raiders will gain an extra $24 million in cap space once Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract is off the books next week. This extra room could allow them to sign another veteran player, especially since they might want to extend contracts for players like Tre’von Moehrig and Malcolm Koonce, who are approaching contract years.
“Regardless, adding Gilmore would strengthen the Raiders’ defense.”
Holder’s assessment is accurate. The Raiders lack dependable players in their defensive backfield. Although Nate Hobbs is a veteran, the team is still figuring out how to effectively use the inconsistent Jack Jones and the underperforming Jakorian Bennett, who struggled in his rookie year after being a fourth-round pick in 2023. Currently, Jones is expected to be the starter.
Stephon Gilmore Has a Star History
Gilmore’s resume speaks for itself. Over his 12 seasons in the NFL, he has earned five Pro Bowl appearances, two first-team All-Pro selections, a Super Bowl ring, and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Admittedly, Gilmore is 33 and recovering from a shoulder injury he played through in January, which required subsequent surgery. However, he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season.
Despite these concerns, Gilmore proved last year with Dallas that he remains a formidable shutdown corner, allowing a passer rating of 82.7 when targeted. Although this is the highest of his career, it is still a reliable figure for a starting cornerback.
While the Raiders are keen to see how Jones performs as a starter and whether Bennett can rebound from a challenging rookie year, their primary goal is to win now. Relying solely on Jones and Bennett carries the risk of game-losing mistakes. Bringing in Gilmore would provide stability to the Raiders’ defense, ensuring they can handle the potential fluctuations in performance from Jones and Bennett.