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#8: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State University

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As I expected after watching the press conference, Pettine is in heaven with this pick.

This was clearly the best outcome after that top 3. They weren't getting Clowney and Bortles was gone, who was my pick as a franchise QB. Trading back and getting a stud of a shutdown corner, that's pretty amazing.

Remember everyone's fascination with recreating the Minnifield-Dixon combo? We recreated it, pumped it full of steroids, gave it a little bit of radiation and creating a monster. This if going to be FUN to watch.

It's going to be sick nasty. Can't believe I'm pumping myself up over a CB tandem.

Guess it's a sign of getting older.
 
I LOVE this pick and With Watkins I was saying we better not pass on him but... I mean a first next year and this years top Corner who I wanted If they traded down. Amazing job Farmer and CO.
 
150 replies for Manziel. 5 for Gilbert. You guys are worthless. Good god.

That thread is a little skewed.

I believe it was an old thread that someone changed the name on and bumped.

Has a lot of pre-draft discussion.

Anyway, excited for Gilbert. He's such an explosive player on film.
 
The other good thing about this pick is that it moves Skrine to covering the slot where he will do much better with his speed.
 
Everyone looked at me sideways at the place where I watched when I kept saying Gilbert after the trade down. Really like this pick. Interviews solid; seems to have a good head on his shoulders. If he can keep himself focused on football, I have no doubt he'll be a very good player for this team for several years. Will play immediately, which is what you needed in the top-10.

Plus Buffalo's pick? I mean, come-on.
 
There hasn't been a negative comment in this thread yet, has there? I'm not going to make one.

GREAT pick after the trade down and pickup of next years #1.

Anyone else feel like this is also a positive with regard to extending Haden? "Hey Joe, we got you some help on the other side. Pretty sweet, huh? Let's get this deal done and go get some W's."
 
150 replies for Manziel. 5 for Gilbert. You guys are worthless. Good god.

I assume that's because everyone is pretty much happy with this pick. We got a 2015 first-rounder and the best corner prospect in the draft. That's not terribly controversial.
 
There hasn't been a negative comment in this thread yet, has there? I'm not going to make one.

GREAT pick after the trade down and pickup of next years #1.

Anyone else feel like this is also a positive with regard to extending Haden? "Hey Joe, we got you some help on the other side. Pretty sweet, huh? Let's get this deal done and go get some W's."

There really isn't a reason to be negative. At first I was disappointed we passed on Mack but as soon as I saw the 2015 Buffalo first rounder and fourth, I was sold.

I didn't really watch research Gilbert much but the guy is one of the smoothest athletes I've seen.
 
Pressure the QB, ball hawk like crazy. This should be a very fun defense to watch.
 
I liked the move last night. This morning I love it. Gilbert will do wonders for this defense. The whole unit will improve because of this guy. Pettine and O'Neil have so many options at their disposal. Great football decision.

Plus anytime you have the opportunity to grab a future 1st from Buffalo, you have to take it.
 
Gilbert is a physical freak...

6'0 202lbs.
He's very near the top in terms of height in this CB class (of the top 10-20 CBs)
At 202lbs he's one of the heaviest
He ran a 4.35 40 which was the fastest of the CBs
His arms are 33 1/8th long. Most of the other CBs are 30-31" so he's got super long arms

Here is Dane Brugler's full scouting report on him...

STRENGTHS: Tall, long frame with excellent arm length, matching up well with bigger targets…good long-speed and smooth acceleration with a flexible body type, using his athleticism to impede routes and make plays at all levels…physical and tough in press with assertive strength to use the sideline to his advantage and be aggressive at the catch point…very good quickness to close in a hurry with hustle to finish plays…excellent extension to highpoint and pluck INTs with reliable ballskills and competitive nature to track the ball in the air – returned two INTs for scores in 2013…instinctive and plays with a high level of confidence…impact KR with above average patience, vision and long-striding acceleration in the open field – six career KR touchdowns is a Big 12 record…passionate and showed much improved focus and energy in 2013…three-year starter with experience in mostly press and off man – very good career production (39 passes defended, 12 INTs), earning consensus All-American and All-Big 12 honors as a senior Thorpe Award finalist.

WEAKNESSES: Choppy, hectic feet and plays too much on his heels, struggling to stay low and balanced in his movements…gets lazy with his footwork and his technique needs an overhaul, opening his hips too early and leaning his body, struggling to recover – plays too tall and struggles to stay balanced, low and explode out of his stance…too easily bites on fakes and pumps and will get himself in trouble with his aggressive confidence…too grabby and physical down the field and needs to eliminate the holding and PI penalties…inconsistent in run support with streaky tackling technique, taking questionable angles and appearing hesitant with contact – also struggles to get off blocks.

SUMMARY: A three-star CB recruit, Gilbert, who played QB in high school, committed to Oklahoma State over Oklahoma and Baylor. He had two KR touchdowns as a true freshman and had a breakout sophomore season as a starting CB, finishing with 15 passes defended and five INTs. Gilbert appeared to be reading too many of his own press clippings with an inconsistent junior campaign, but he rebounded nicely as a senior with a conference-high seven INTs. He is a very talented athlete with height, length and solid body strength, but needs to refine his technique and improve his footwork and balance in his transition – too often playing tight and upright. Gilbert adds value as an impact return man with eight touchdowns in his career (six on KR, two on INTs). He is dripping with natural talent and has high NFL upside if he fixes his technique and stay focused – 1st round tools and might be the top CB drafted, but inconsistent discipline and fundamentals earn him a 2nd round grade.
 
Is there pick protection in the NFL like there is in the NBA?
 
Interesting factoid about Gilbert:

In his Sophomore season he picked off all 3 of Andrew Luck, RG3 and Ryan Tannehill. I'm sure he picked off the other QB taken in the first round of the draft that year many times since he practiced against him every day. But that QB will remain nameless - I don't want to change the upbeat tone of this thread. :)
 
Here is what ESPN, NFL Network and CBS have to say about the pick..

ESPN
What he brings:
Gilbert has above-average size, elite speed and excellent ball skills. In addition, he is electric with the ball in his hands and adds value on special teams as a kick returner with six career returns for touchdowns. However, Gilbert comes with some boom/bust factor, as he displays some tightness, allows too much separation and can be disinterested in run support at times.

How he fits:
Joe Haden is an elite corner, but he gets little help from the rest of this group. Gilbert gives Cleveland two solid corners, and coach Mike Pettine can now blitz more to create more pressure, as both of these guys can play on an island and play the press technique. This is a smart defense that asks its players to play a variety of roles, and we will even see a 4-2-5 scheme as its base package at times. Gilbert needs to improve versus the run, but his biggest contribution to this unit will be in coverage. He gives the front seven a lot of flexibility in rush schemes on a defense that is close to being really good.

NFL Network
Pick Analysis:
"Understand that (new head coach) Mike Pettine is a former defensive coordinator. He's used to having a shutdown cornerback. He's 6-foot, 202 pounds and ran a 4.37 (40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine). He's the prototype cornerback in today's NFL." -- Mike Mayock

CBS Sports
I liked two other corners better, but they need corner help. Why not a QB?
Obviously, this was the initial reaction without taking into account the full 1st round by the Browns.
 
I thought Gilbert was the CONSENSUS #1 corner in the draft?

What is all these people now saying Dennard and Fuller were better?
 

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