Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills Should Let Stephon Gilmore Walk in Free Agency

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:31 p.m. ET

Fansided, Ryan Brennan/FanSided via BuffaLowDown

Nov 8, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) talks to field judge Brad Freeman (88) about a call during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Dolphins 33-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills are tight in the financial department, so keeping Stephon Gilmore in Buffalo would be a bad idea.

With a little over 24 free agents on the Buffalo Bills‘ roster — including Stephon Gilmore — and question marks surrounding most positions, the Bills will need to be very smart with their decisions this offseason.

Fans will have to face reality with some players, knowing that not everyone will be able to suit up for this team next season.

Among some of those players that might not be in Buffalo next season are Robert Woods, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Brown, Lorenzo Alexander, Mike Gillislee, Jerome Felton and Stephon Gilmore. All of these players had a spectacular season for the Bills, but there is one player that hasn’t been quite about wanting a big paycheck.

In fact, the other names on that list have made it known that they would love to be with the Buffalo Bills next season. Of course, the paycheck will have an effect on their decisions, but they aren’t letting that weigh out the possibility of playing for this team.

Gilmore has, though.

More from BuffaLowDown

I like Stephon Gilmore. I like the way he plays, I like his ability to grab interceptions and I like that he is confident with his game — at least when the offseason comes around. I like having him line up opposite of Ronald Darby, I think they make a great cornerback duo in this league.

Unfortunately, I don’t like how important this paycheck is to him. I don’t blame him for wanting more money, but you do have to earn it and I’m not sure he has 100% earned what he’s asking for.

Stephon Gilmore believes he deserves top-money for a cornerback. With that being said, the Buffalo Bills really only have two options with him — pay him top money or let him walk. Even if we were franchise tag him, we would still be paying him the same amount of money as if we were signing him to a normal contract.

Let’s say the team does franchise tag him, that would result in a one-year deal worth nearly $14 million. If you ask me, that’s way too much for Gilmore, so the Buffalo Bills shouldn’t even consider that.

Let’s say the team decides to sit down and ink a contract with Gilmore. Whether that contract is a one-year or a multi-year contract, it’s going to cost the Buffalo Bills around $12-$14 million a year because that’s what Stephon Gilmore is going to be asking for.

MUST READ: Buffalo Bills’ Cap Space, Free Agents, More

To me, $14 million is too much for a cornerback that hasn’t been as consistent as the other top cornerbacks in this league. Sure, his 5 interceptions look good on paper — especially since it ranks fifth in the league — but when you consider that he finished with 2 interceptions in 2 different games, that number looks a lot smaller.

With that being said, I would not re-sign Stephon Gilmore this offseason and instead use that money to help other areas of this team that need to be looked at. Signing Gilmore would take almost half of our cap space and that simply isn’t worth it.

Bills’ fans should be able to sleep better at night knowing that there is an NFL Draft coming up with a long list of talented prospects involved. If the Buffalo Bills look into adding a cornerback in the draft, even if it’s a third or fourth rounder, they can possibly find a good replacement.

Let’s go through a list of some potential replacements for Stephon Gilmore this offseason, whether it be a free agent, a rookie or promoting someone already on the roster.

Dec 3, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) celebrates with fans after beating the Baylor Bears at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Rasul Douglas could be a solid draft selection that would only cost a mid-round draft pick.

Rasul Douglas

West Virginia / Sr.

6’2” / 204 lbs.

32-1/8″ arm length

9-1/4″ hands

NFL.com Draft Grade: 5.86

Draft Grade Compared to: Marshon Lattimore (6.52) , Teez Tabor (6.15)

2016 Statistics: 70 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, 8 interceptions (tied for most in FBS), one touchdown and 8 passes defended.

Strengths: Nice size for the NFL, good in zone coverage, playmaker, pretty good at reading the quarterback, nice hands, wins 50-50 balls, brings guys down with his size.

Want your voice heard? Join the BuffaLowDown team!

Weaknesses: Could work on balance, transition quickness, close to the ball better, matching patterns, needs better footwork in press coverage, could get beat by speedy receivers, inconsistent hitter.

CBSSports.com’s Projected Draft Round: 3

If the Buffalo Bills could grab Rasul Douglas in the third round, he could be a Day 1 replacement — if he has a solid combine and learns quick. Plus, it would allow the team to address other needs with their first and second round draft picks, most likely a wide receiver and safety.

Here’s another cornerback that the Bills could select later in the draft.

Dec 3, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Damontae Kazee (23) waves to the crowd after game against the Wyoming Cowboys at the Mountain West Championship college football game at War Memorial Stadium. The Aztecs beat the Cowboys 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports

Damontae Kazee is another player the Buffalo Bills could draft in a later round, potentially a steal.

Damontae Kazee

San Diego State / Sr.

5’10” / 184 lbs.

29-7/8″ arm length

8-1/4″ hands

NFL.com Draft Grade: 5.55

Draft Grade Compared To: Marshon Lattimore (6.52) , Teez Tabor (6.15) , Rasul Douglas (5.86)

2016 Statistics: 67 tackles, one forced fumble, 7 interceptions, one touchdown, 8 passes defended

Strengths: Good bounce in his feet, quick transitions, good reaction to routes, plays smart, good zone coverage, good anticipation, loves turnovers, good run support

Weaknesses: His backpedal needs work, could get beat deep, inconsistent with his positioning, gets faked by play-action, bad recovery speed, lacks size, lot of mismatches.

MUST WATCH: Lorenzo Alexander Makes Jimmy Graham Mad

CBSSports.com’s Projected Draft Round: 4

Damontae Kazee is going to spark a lot of interest as the draft goes on. He’s a player that has all of the tactical skills needed to play corner. His size will definitely scare some teams off, but if the Buffalo Bills can get him in a later round, it would be a complete steal. Plus, just like Rasul Douglas, it would allow the Bills to address other needs earlier in the draft.

He wouldn’t necessarily be a Day 1 starter, but he could compete for it and possibly surprise everyone. Either way, he would be an excellent rotational cornerback to pick up now. I mean, his 15 interceptions in the past two seasons should grab anyone’s attention.

Let’s move on to a free agent.

Dec 4, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) celebrates a sack against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Ryan has spent the last four seasons with the Patriots, but is set to become a free agent this offseason.

Logan Ryan

New England Patriots

5’11” / 195 lbs.

Entering 5th season

Drafted: 83rd, 3rd Round, 2013 (NE)

2016 Statistics: 16 games, 92 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 11 passes defended, one stuff

2015 Statistics: 16 games, 74 tackles, 4 interceptions, 14 passes defended, 3 stuffs

2014 Statistics: 16 games, 42 tackles, one forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defended, one stuff

2013 Statistics: 16 games, 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 5 interceptions, one touchdown, 10 passes defended, one stuff

Despite only earning a full-time starter role two years ago, Logan Ryan has tallied 13 interceptions since he has entered the league. That number is tied for 9th in the NFL during that same time frame. He has good size, plays physical, loves to disrupt plays and create turnovers.

Here’s what his current teammate, Julian Edelman, had to say about the young cornerback:

“Logan’s so instinctive,” Edelman said. “He’s so smart, and he’s a really good player. He’s developed into a really good player. We can’t give any signals, because he knows all our signals. You can’t say anything, because he knows all of what we say. When you go against Logan, you have to make up fake signals, so it’s a real true one-on-one.”

Even better, Logan Ryan won’t be demanding as much money as other free agent cornerbacks — including the Buffalo Bills‘ Stephon Gilmore. Ryan will likely get a contract that is around $24 million over 4 years, which is less than half of what Gilmore will be asking for.

Not to mention, he came up big for the Patriots in Super Bowl LI and would bring a winning attitude to Buffalo — sign me up!

Dec 24, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour (29) before a game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills drafted Kevon Seymour in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and he has a lot of potential.

Kevon Seymour

Buffalo Bills

6’0” / 185 lbs.

Entering 2nd Season

Drafted: 218th, 6th Round, 2016 (BUF)

2016 Statistics: 15 games, 22 tackles, 3 passes defended

2015 NFL.com Draft Grade: 5.15

Strengths, according to NFL.com before draft:

Plays with good recognition from zone. Easy opener to mirror down the field. Has burst and overall speed to run with crossing routes. Has sticky feet and can close on the ball with some suddenness. Special teams standout with 19 tackles over the last three years and eight this season. Might have value as a gunner. Plays speed is NFL-caliber.

MUST READ: 7 Best Free Agent Signings in Franchise History

Weaknesses, according to NFL.com before draft:

Missed four games due to injury and was benched before the second game of the season and never regained his spot. Despite foot quickness doesn’t make as many plays on the ball as expected. Has just three interceptions over three years. Can be big-boyed by physical receivers inside the routes. Allowed entirely too much for catch-and-throw opportunities. Slightly undersized with herky-jerky change of direction.

After missing Week 1, Kevon Seymour played in the rest of the 15 games last season. He saw snaps on special teams and as a cornerback on defense. He started three games, but seemed to make plays whenever his name was called.

He had four games where he tallied 3 tackles each game — vs. Arizona (13 snaps), New England (7 snaps), Oakland (69 snaps) and Miami (14 snaps). He was a starter for only one of those games.

Seymour has definitely earned more playing time if he has a solid offseason and shows improvement. If so, then he could find himself in the competition for a starting role next to Ronald Darby.

What do you think the Buffalo Bills should do at cornerback next season? Leave your comments below!