Could Raiders make a play for Stephon Gilmore?

There has been chatter the New England Patriots could trade cornerback Stephon Gilmore since last season and now, the Draft Network believes he could be on the move this offseason.

This article links the Las Vegas Raiders as a possible landing spot for Gilmore, who missed five games last season after being the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Gilmore, who turns 31 in September, was linked to the Raiders in the past so this is not a huge surprise.

If the Patriots do make Gilmore available — moving on from players just as they are declining is a classic Bill Belichick move — there are reasons to think the Raiders could be interested in him.

There is a report that New England has interest in acquiring backup Las Vegas quarterback Marcus Mariota, so perhaps a Gilmore-Mariota trade (the Raiders would probably have to add a draft pick in the deal) could be discussed.

The Raiders have already been linked to veteran cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson (they’re both free agents) this offseason. Gilmore would certainly give the Raiders’ leadership a top-level defensive player they seek, but he has a high price tag and the Raiders have a bunch of young cornerbacks they need to develop.

So, like most moves, there’s pros and cons to a Las Vegas pursuit of Gilmore.

But there is enough reason to think that if the Patriots do move Gilmore this offseason, the Raiders may be one of the teams that make the most sense.