The Falcons report to training camp next week, but there’s still a glaring hole on the roster that needs to be filled.
Defensively, Raheem Morris is relying on a lot of young, unproven players. Many would point to the edge unit as the one I’m referring to, and you’d have a case, but the cornerback room doesn’t have several Day 2 draft picks to rely upon.
Next to and opposite of A.J. Terrell, the Falcons will be starting two of Clark Phillips, Dee Alford. Mike Hughes, and Antonio Hamilton. You don’t need a PhD in football to know that’s not good enough for a club with postseason aspirations.
What makes it especially concerning is the available free agents on the open market, one of whom had a very surreal statement. Stephon Gilmore told Josina Anderson that there aren’t 64 better corners out there than him.
“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,” he told Anderson. “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.”
Free agent CB Stephon Gilmore with the latest on his status to me on the phone:
“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… pic.twitter.com/JeVCrlLICv
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 16, 2024
Gilmore would immediately become the Falcons’ second-best corner behind Terrell. It’s concerning because the Falcons, Morris and Terry Fontenot, seem comfortable with their current group while a guy like Gilmore is available.
Gilmore appeared in all 17 games for the Cowboys last season, logging two interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 68 tackles and one forced fumble. Entering his age-34 season, he’s past his prime, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he can offer the Falcons more than Hughes, Clark, Hamilton, and Alford.
