Browns working out cornerback Justin Gilbert at receiver
Things haven’t worked out as planned for 2014 No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert as a cornerback. Could a change of position be in store in Cleveland?
Gilbert has been buried on the depth chart despite his lofty draft status, and he seems to have taken up full-time residence in Browns head coach Mike Pettine’s doghouse. With Gilbert unable to surpass a player who was selected three rounds after him (Pierre Desir) and another who wasn’t drafted at all in 2014 (K’Waun Williams), the Browns have been giving Gilbert some practice reps at receiver.
Pettine says Gilbert hasn’t looked out of place on the offensive side of the ball. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo says they’re going to experiment with Gilbert more at receiver.
“We've put him at wide receiver and he doesn't look out of place.” – Pettine on Justin Gilbert being used in practice at WR at times
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 8, 2015
“that's something we've talked about & are going to explore” – Flip on Justin Gilbert as a WR
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 8, 2015
Special teams coach Chris Tabor also said Thursday that Gilbert will be his kickoff returner going forward after showing that he could be dangerous with the ball in his hands. Gilbert averaged 36.7 yards on three returns against San Diego last Sunday.
Tabor says Justin Gilbert “is going to be our guy” on kick off returns going forward
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 8, 2015
ST Coordinator Chris Tabor: Justin Gilbert “did a great job for us as a returner..showed when ball in his hands he can do some great things”
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 8, 2015
Gilbert has barely been able to get on the field this season. Right now, it seems the Browns are looking to squeeze any kind of return from the hefty investment they made in him last year.