Stephon Gilmore Makes Patriots Histroy, Locks Defensive Player Of The Year Award

Stephon Gilmore has had a stellar 2019 season. And he finally received his recognition. At the NFL Honors ceremony in Miami, Gilmore became the first player in New England Patriots history and the first cornerback in a decade to win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Stephon Gilmore locks down the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award! #NFLHonors #GoPats@BumpNrunGilm0re pic.twitter.com/PfZViis8IW

— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2020

Gilmore has proven himself as the league’s top cover man this season. He finished tied for first in interceptions with six while routinely shadowing each opponent’s No. 1 receiving threat. That list included the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, DeVante Parker, Terry McLaurin, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Boyd and A.J. Brown.

Picks. Tipped passes. Tackles. You name it.@bumpnrungilm0re ?EARNED? this season’s Defensive Player of the Year. #GoPats

?: #NFLHonors | Tonight at 8PM ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/OIcGHkXbku

— NFL (@NFL) February 1, 2020

Quarterbacks posted a passer rating of 47.4 when targeting Gilmore in coverage. New England’s defense as a whole led the NFL in yards allowed and points allowed, powering an offensively flawed Patriots team to a 12-4 record and an AFC East title.

Gilmore is the first cornerback to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors since Charles Woodson who won it in 2009. Before Woodson, no corner had received the award since Deion Sanders in 1994.

Gilmore received 21 of the 50 votes. Former Patriots edge rusher Chandler Jones finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting with 14, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt with 10 and Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Shaq Barrett with two. Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald got one apiece.