Saddest Cleveland Sports Moments Of 2014
Sep 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) is tackled by Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) and cornerback Justin Gilbert (21) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
No. 9 Another First-Round Bust
While Johnny Manziel was the most hyped player on the roster, he wasn’t the highest draft pick.
That honor belongs to Justin Gilbert, who was drafted eighth overall after the Browns traded down to swap picks with Buffalo, while picking up a first-round pick in 2015.
Gilbert was dreadful in his first game, as Pro Football Focus awarded a -4.4 grade for his professional debut.
The Oklahoma State product didn’t show much improvement moving forward, and has lost playing time to undrafted rookie K’Waun Williams, as well as fourth-round project Pierre Desir.
Later in the season, Gilbert did his best to stay in Mike Pettine’s doghouse, with poor practice efforts, as well as off-the-field behavior the Browns’ coach wouldn’t elaborate on.