Cleveland Browns’ Justin Gilbert Shows Why NFL Teams Should Avoid Drafting Top-10 Cornerbacks

Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (11) is tackled after a pass reception by Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert (21) during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

For any team to spend a top-10 pick on a cornerback in future drafts would be highly questionable, considering how NFL rule makers have devalued the position in favor of more offense.

It’s for this reason, that it makes no sense for teams to draft cornerbacks with early first-round selections. Want to stop the offense? Rush the quarterback. And then your team better be able to score more than the other guy.

Cleveland Browns fans are learning this hard way with the well-documented struggles of Justin Gilbert–the No. 8 overall player taken in last May’s draft.

Gilbert’s played 132 snaps through the team’s first four games, and is allowing completions at an alarming rate. He’s been targeted 15 times, yielding 11 catches. The Oklahoma State product is ranked 88th (out of 102 qualified corners) by Pro Football Focus.

This is on top of Joe Haden struggling to adjust to new rule changes. The Pro Bowler is rated as one of the worst corners in the league–Gilbert is ranked higher–as he’s been targeted 22 times while allowing 16 completions. In 282 snaps, Haden’s been torched for 240 yards and two scores.

Gilbert was one of five corners taken in this year’s draft. Through four games, it’d be unfair to draw conclusions, but as long as he struggles, and fellow first-rounders succeed, Browns fans will ponder the “bust” word every time he blows coverage.

Chargers’ rookie Jason Verrett was the 25th overall pick, and he’s rated higher than any other first-year corner. Pro Football Focus rates Verett as the 16th best corner. as his coverage area has been targeted 18 times, and he’s yielded just nine catches and 78 yards.

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State) poses with his jersey after being selected as the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cleveland Browns at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears’ Kyle Fuller–taken 14th–is rated second best among the rooks (25th overall). In 277 snaps, Fuller’s been been thrown at 31 times while yielding 16 catches. Opposing wideouts have racked up 2o2 yards and he’s given up one score, but he owns three interceptions and two passes defensed. His three picks are tied for the NFL lead.

Gilbert and Fuller were the only corners taken in the top 15.

Cinncinnati took Darqueze Dennard with the 24th pick, but the Bengals have depth, and haven’t played the rookie a ton, as the Michigan State product as only played 16 defensive snaps.

The Broncos took Ohio State product Bradley Roby 31st, and he’s playing a lot (226 snaps). But he’s getting torched almost as much as Gilbert. He’s rated 61st among corners.

In today’s NFL, there should be a difference between spending the No. 8 overall pick on corner, and grabbing one near the end of the first round.

The top of the draft should be reserved for game-changing type players, and corners used to meet that definition, but even the game’s elite players aren’t having their best starts (Richard Sherman, ranked 24th; Darrelle Revis, 28; Patrick Peterson, 75th).