Cleveland Browns agree to terms with Justin Gilbert per Chris Mortensen

The Cleveland Browns have come to terms with cornerback Justin Gilbert on a 4-year deal according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.  Gilbert, the eighth pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, was one of the last unsigned draft picks and the deal was made the day rookies and veterans that suffered injuries were to report in Berea for training camp.

The last detail left to be settled came down to offset language, which is really the only issue that is not almost entirely sorted out the pick is made.  Gilbert, the first pick of the Browns’ draft despite the amount of interest and scrutiny aimed at Johnny Manziel, finishes out their small but what the team hopes is an extremely talented and impactful class.

The corner battle to start opposite of Joe Haden will feature Gilbert and Buster Skrine, who is set to be a free agent after this year.  Skrine has done his best work in the slot and is a better fit there while Gilbert’s length and athleticism is a good fit in the press-bail scheme the Browns would like to run,

Gilbert has to be a better tackler and eliminate some false steps in coverage, but he has prototypical measurables and has shown to be able to make plays on the football, causing turnovers with a threat to score with the ball in his hands.  The Browns hope the addition of Gilbert as well as fellow draft picks Chris Kirksey and Pierre Desir can give them the pieces to be one of the strongest defenses in the league.