Report: Patriots expected to sign top CB Gilmore
The defending champion New England Patriots are wading back into the free-agent market to land a top cornerback.
The Super Bowl LI winners are expected to land highly desired corner Stephon Gilmore, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing a source.
New England will make Gilmore one of the NFL's highest-paid cornerbacks by handing him a contract that will pay him $14 million per year, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Only Trumaine Johnson, Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson, and Richard Sherman own a similar average salary.
The Patriots are expected to let in-house corner Logan Ryan walk in free agency and it appears they've chosen to replace him with one of the top corners on the market.
Gilmore spent the first five years of his career with the Buffalo Bills where he developed into a dependable coverman. In 15 games in 2016, he recorded 48 total tackles, five interceptions, and 12 passes defensed.
The Patriots were loaded with available cap space this offseason and have opted first to find a partner for Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler.
The Patriots signed Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner in 2014 and went on to win the Super Bowl the following season.