The Dallas Cowboys are currently holding their annual pre-NFL Draft press conference at The Star. Fans were hoping to gain some insight into the team's draft plans, but Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Brian Schottenheimer and Will McClay played things very close to the vest.
It was widely assumed that Jerry Jones would send things off the rails, but Jones was on his best behavior on Tuesday. What actually threw a wrench into the QnA? None other than free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore walking past everyone in the lobby on his way out of the building.
Gilmore, of course, played with the Cowboys in 2023. Much to the chagrin of fans, Gilmore was not brought back last offseason and the secondary felt his absence.
With cornerback being a huge need in the draft, it seems the front office is eyeing a reunion with the grizzled defensive back.
Cowboys shockingly meet with free agent Stephon Gilmore before NFL Draft
Saad Yousuf of The Athletic was in the midst of asking a draft-related question and quickly pivoted to Gilmore's unexpected visit as word spread on social media. Stephen Jones took the luxury of answering the question.
"We're always looking to make things better. It doesn't always mean that if they're in the building that there's a deal in the works," Jones said.
The Cowboys never should have let Gilmore go. The two-time All-Pro made it clear he wanted to return to Dallas after the team's blowout playoff loss to the Packers. However, the front office didn't oblige and Gilmore inked a one-year deal with the Vikings.
Gilmore obviously isn't the Defensive Player of the Year candidate he was in his prime, but we are talking about a serviceable CB2. After losing Jourdan Lewis and with Trevon Diggs expected to miss the start of the season, CB2 is the biggest need on the roster behind WR2.
Signing Gilmore would alleviate a lot of those concerns and potentially shake up Dallas' drafting strategy. The expectation before Tuesday's Gilmore surprise is that the team will take a cornerback early. That might remain the case even if Gilmore returns, but it could open the door to target an edge rusher, defensive tackle, or running back as early as the second round.
Regardless, the Cowboys need to get this done ASAP. Gilmore never should have left in the first place.
