Every year around this stage of the NFL offseason, there are big-name players still available in free agency despite many thinking they would've signed big deals in March.
Ahead of the Dallas Cowboys 2024 training camp, that includes Stephon Gilmore, who remains unsigned after playing at a high level last year for America's Team.
Gilmore recently spoke up about his availability through NFL insider Josina Anderson from CBS.
"There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed. Honestly, I’m still being patient and staying ready until teams see what they have in training camp; but you mean to tell me among 32 teams that there are 64 starting corners that are better than me? I don’t think that. If teams want to win, I think they should sign the best players. I know I’m still a starter in this league. I started games last year, but the season doesn’t start until September, we got a while."
- S. Gilmore via @JosinaAnderson
There's a lot to unpack there but let's start with Gilmore's comments on waiting until teams see what they've got: That's not an unusual approach for long-time veterans that don't really need to prove themselves in spring practices and would much rather spend the offseason away from such obligations.
More than anything of course, the motives might be financial. NFL teams prefer to opt for younger and cheaper talent if and whenever possible. Unfortunately for them, that means banking on inexperienced players and having to wait until late July to see them perform with pads on and live contact allowed.
It's then that teams might see their plans backfire when they realize their young talent isn't up for the task, which gives leverage back to free agents such as Gilmore. Not to mention, it's football and injuries happen. By waiting until late in the offseason, better opportunities can come up for veterans that are plug-and-play starters.
Does a Gilmore-Cowboys reunion hinge on Trevon Diggs' health?
All of the above brings us to this: One of the biggest risks the Cowboys are taking on this offseason lies at cornerback as they're hoping Trevon Diggs hits the ground running following a season-ending ACL injury suffered in September.
Recently, the Cowboys have seen players like WR Michael Gallup and RT Terence Steele struggle after coming back from injury, causing doubts at cornerback, where Diggs will be badly needed.
Training camp will be the first time the All-Pro corner will be truly tested as he was sidelined during OTAs and minicamp.
This poses the question: If the Cowboys don't like what they see from Diggs and his knee early on, would a Gilmore reunion be immediately targeted?
That should absolutely be their strategy.
First of all, there's a strong argument to be made that the Cowboys should've brought the former Defensive Player of the Year back long ago but with the way they've gone about team building this offseason, it's clear they've aimed to avoid signing the big checks.
But if Diggs struggles early on, the Cowboys would have serious concerns at cornerback, as there's no clear-cut CB4 as plenty of inexperienced players follow on the depth chart. If Diggs isn't ready to go, we're talking about potential season-breaking problem.
Gilmore would be the answer if it comes to that.
He has a point when claiming he's a starter in the league. He improved as the year went on and even played a key part in shutting down D.K. Metcalf late in the year when tasked with shadowing the Seattle Seahawks receiver following a rough first half from first-team All-Pro DaRon Bland.
Related: The rest of the NFL just told us maybe the Cowboys didn't mess up their Tyron Smith decision
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