Cornerback Stephon Gilmore seems to get linked to the San Francisco 49ers every time he becomes available, so why should this offseason be any different? After losing starter Charvarius Ward in free agency, the 49ers have a glaring need for some cornerback depth. But with Gilmore turning 35 shortly after the start of the 2025 season, is adding an older veteran the answer for a team looking to get younger?

ESPN's Bill Barnwell seems to believe so, naming the 49ers—along with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks—as an ideal landing spot for Gilmore.


"Gilmore is the rare cornerback capable of playing man-to-man at a high level into his 30s. Between the Patriots, Cowboys and Vikings, he has played in some of the league's most aggressive defenses," Barnwell wrote. "And while he occasionally gets beaten, the now 34-year-old has held his own."

Most expect the 49ers to address their defensive backfield in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, they may turn to a veteran like Gilmore if they don't feel they've sufficiently bolstered the cornerback group.

So why is Gilmore still on the market? Barnwell points to his age, explaining, "It's the wrong time to be a cornerback on the wrong side of 30. The largest contract that any 30-plus cornerback received in free agency last year was the three-year, $22.5 million pact Darious Williams inked to re-join the Rams, and even that was really just a one-year contract."

Gilmore has played for five teams over the past five seasons and didn't sign with the Minnesota Vikings last year until late in the offseason. His 62.2 defensive grade and 59.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last season were his lowest since 2020. Still, Barnwell believes the veteran cornerback can contribute.

"According to NFL Next Gen Stats, he allowed an 87.5 passer rating and slightly negative EPA as the nearest defender in coverage last season," Barnwell noted. "Doing that as part of a [Vikings] defense that often asked him to cover on an island is an impressive feat."

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