NFL Notes: Stephon Gilmore, Mitchell Schwartz, Olivier Vernon

Stephon Gilmore

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said if the Patriots trade CB Stephon Gilmore, they could get a similar compensation to that of the Julio Jones trade.

“It’d have to be the right defense, right time, contending team,” Fowler said, via NESN. “Certainly there’s value (in Gilmore), (but) at that age I just don’t know if it’s (worth) a first-round pick or not. ? But it’d be a good pick.

“Julio Jones was worth a two (second-round pick) and a three (third-round pick) in part because you’re giving up that big salary. It wouldn’t shock me to see him (Gilmore) something close to that. I would say Gilmore ranks in the cornerback pantheon around in the same place as Jones does right now (among receivers). Jones is two years older.

“So there would be good value (for Gilmore), I just don’t know if a team would be willing to give up a first right now because of the money you’d have to pay on a new deal. Plus he’s such a good fit in New England, I mean he could fit in a lot of defenses, but he’s perfect for what they do right now. So I’d probably say a two and another pick. Maybe a two and a four and another pick.”

Mitchell Schwartz

• PFN’s Adam Beasley notes former Chiefs RT Mitchell Schwartz is still working his way back from a back injury. He had surgery in February and is hoping to get good news soon after an upcoming meeting with his doctors. 
• However, Beasley says there is no guarantee Schwartz is ready for football in the near future. 
• We have him listed in our Top 100 Available Free Agents list. 

Olivier Vernon

• PFN’s Adam Beasley says former Browns DE Olivier Vernon is doing well in his rehab from a torn Achilles. Vernon suffered in the injury in the regular-season finale and is six months into what can be an 11-month rehab. 
• Beasley adds Vernon would consider signing with a team before training camp if the deal and fit are right and if his rehab is truly ahead of schedule, he should have interest. 
• We have him listed in our Top 100 Available Free Agents list.