With the 2025 NFL Draft come and gone, the second wave of free agency is set to begin. It’s a time when teams can find quality players at lower prices, or capitalize on veterans released post-draft. The Baltimore Ravens have a track record of striking gold during this phase of the offseason—Daryl Smith and Jadeveon Clowney come to mind.
And with a few spots still needing depth, particularly at cornerback, another value signing could be on the horizon.
Baltimore focused heavily on its secondary during the draft, taking safety Malaki Starks in the first round. They also reinforced the pass rush (Mike Green) and offensive line (Emory Jones). But cornerback, a clear need after Brandon Stephens’ departure in free agency, wasn’t addressed until the sixth round with Bilhal Kone.
There’s still room for improvement—and one veteran in particular could fit the bill.
Stephon Gilmore makes too much sense for Baltimore
Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, is still on the market. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Gilmore has bounced around the league in recent seasons—suiting up for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and most recently, Minnesota Vikings. He played 15 games for the Vikes in 2024, tallying an interception and nine passes defensed while contributing to one of the league’s better defenses.
Now a free agent again, Gilmore is drawing interest as a potential late-offseason addition. Pro Football Network’s Sterling Xie recently made the case for Baltimore as an ideal landing spot:
"Even with one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens are likely to add a few vets in the upcoming weeks. The Ravens play the compensatory game as deftly as any organization, and past years have seen late-offseason additions like Jadeveon Clowney pay off."
"Perimeter cornerback is one of the few remaining question marks on the roster. Their only selections at the position came in the sixth round with Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam."
"A veteran like Stephon Gilmore would be a starting-level player who would allow the Ravens to avoid depending on an unknown, such as Jalyn Armour-Davis or T.J. Tampa. Gilmore’s past experience in man-heavy schemes could translate well to a Ravens defense that played man at the ninth-highest rate in 2024. He’s still a quality starter, as evidenced by his 7.1 yards per target allowed with the Vikings last year."
The Ravens signed Chidobe Awuzie earlier this offseason, and the expectation is that he’ll compete for the nickel spot alongside Marlon Humphrey and first-rounder Nate Wiggins. Adding Gilmore would provide immediate value and elevate the room’s depth and experience. A group of Humphrey, Wiggins, Awuzie, and Gilmore—backed by Kyle Hamilton and Starks at safety—could be one of the most complete secondaries in the NFL.
General manager Eric DeCosta is likely to make at least one more move post-draft, whether it’s a free agent addition or capitalizing on a roster cut elsewhere. Gilmore is exactly the kind of signing Baltimore has made before—and might make again. After all, the Ravens live by one core philosophy: you can never have too many corners.