Cleveland Browns: Is Justin Gilbert Going To Make An Impact?

The Cleveland Browns need their younger players from previous year’s drafts to move onto the next level on the field. One of those players, Justin Gilbert, is no exception and certainly has plenty of work to improve upon. After last year’s horrible first year, is he going to turn things around and be the player fans saw when he was drafted out of Oklahoma State?

Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine loves having plenty of options with the defensive backs. Gilbert, who was the eighth pick in 2014 NFL Draft, had a horrible rookie season. With Joe Haden a cornerstone for the team, Gilbert was seen as someone with more than enough talent to start opposite the team’s top CB.

So far his career has been very frustrating. Multiple times in 2014 he was past over by other players on the depth chart, including undrafted free agent CB K’Waun Williams.

Gilbert played in the first game of the preseason against the Washington Redskins, but not against the Buffalo Bills. He did not play due to an injury he sustained while in a joint practice with the Bills. He needed all the reps he could get and now this injury is going to hold him back even more.

Is Gilbert capable of turning things around and to show enough improvement so that he can make a positive impact on the 2015 Cleveland Browns season? The Factory of Sadness team gives their thoughts in this week’s FoS Talk.

Ric McElroy

If he doesn’t start allowing the coaches to coach him, continues with the way he is playing, has a cavalier attitude and sees nothing wrong with his performance when beaten like a drum, then the answer is a big fat no. However, if he should get his head on straight and really takes to not only what the coaches are saying, but even some of his teammates’ help, then yes. He has talent and the where with all to be a good if not very good talent in this league.

Torrelle Howard

Yes. At the end of the day the player has the measurables and the talent to play cornerback in the NFL. If he even cares about playing in the NFL the slightest bit, the light will click on and he’ll start improving. Johnny Manziel is a good example of how you sometimes just have to wait for it to click for certain athletes before they start working hard and putting that hard work in the right direction.

Joe Russo

Oh, Justin Gilbert. When he’s healthy and not trying to “prove he wants to be on the team”, the talent is undeniable. There’s a reason he was considered such a strong cover corner coming out of Oklahoma State. What it comes down to is his preparation and mental approach to the game. With a game that is far from flawless, Gilbert needs to improve his on-field IQ along with his off the field maturity. I have faith that Gilbert will improve when he is 100% and make a positive impact, but it might not be the type of impact the 8th overall pick should make.

Jay Frierson

I don’t think he will make much of an impact this season, but I am still willing to give him a shot. I think next year will be a make or break year for him. We gave Haden three years and in his fourth year it finally clicked, and he’s one of the best corners in the league. I’m hoping Gilbert goes down that same path, but he has to want it and want to get better like Haden did. I would have rather had Sammy Watkins like everybody else, but unfortunately our GM hates receivers or any type of offense and this is what we got. So we just gotta hope it clicks.

Nick Dudukovich

Justin Gilbert can’t really be written off, can he? But if he’s to be in the Browns’ plans, doesn’t he need to show some improvement—soon? All the reports heading into training camp indicated he was serious about becoming a better player. He worked with Haden in the offseason and the problem he had getting into meetings on time was addressed.

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The talk from teammates now is that Gilbert needs to figure a few things out, and then he’ll be ready to play like a number one pick. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think he’s ever going to live up to be the eighth overall selection. Maybe he was a guy that thrived in college on his freakish athleticism. I mean, he looks more comfortable running the ball returning kicks than he ever has playing defensive back in the NFL. His physical attributes are undeniable—and that can get you by in college.

Undoubtedly, it hurts to think about, but maybe Gilbert won’t be able to put it together in the pros. He plays for a coach who’s in love with defensive backs and he’s being given every opportunity to succeed. At some point, the guy has to show he can play. If there’s no improvement by the fourth game of the season, look out, because Gilbert’s going to bust.

Justin Blum

Gilbert did all the little things he was supposed to do to get better this year, but instead he got worse. Now, he’ll be the one getting cut next spring, and deservedly so. Maybe Gilbert will turn it around this year, but I doubt it. I hope I’m wrong. I really do. It would be nice to have him and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu healthy and productive next year. In my heart, I think Gilbert will play somewhere else next year.

Ryan Rosko

Prior to coach Pettine’s arrival in Cleveland, he was Buffalo’s DC. There he improved Leodis McKelvin‘s game. He is not a number one, but he is now a good, reliable second corner. If the way coach Pettine improved McKelvin’s game so successfully, so quickly, then there is definitely the possibility that Gilbert shows what he can do at a high level soon. Will that actually happens? Who knows, but this season may be his last chance of ever being considered in the future as a potential starting CB.

I do see him improving, but I am very hesitant to label him as someone who will make a positive impact this season. If such an impact does occur, do not expect it to happen until the later part of the season. The best case for him this season is being the third CB due to his athleticism.

Next: Cleveland Browns: Top 6 Position Battles at Camp

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