Browns move up to take cornerback Justin Gilbert with No. 8 pick
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The Cleveland Browns fortified their defensive secondary Thursday, selecting former Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert with the eighth overall pick in the draft.
The Browns moved up one spot, surrendering a fifth rounder in this year's draft to Minnesota.
Gilbert should play opposite of Joe Haden and give Cleveland a formidable duo to shut down AFC North playmakers Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, and Torrey Smith.
Gilbert is an exceptionally fluid athlete who offers tantalizing upside on the field. In fact, many draft analysts consider him to be the most physically gifted defensive back in this draft class. Though Gilbert must refine his technique in order to excel in the NFL, there are many reasons to believe he'll eventually become one of the game's few true shutdown cornerbacks.
Gilbert was a second team All-American and first team All-Big 12 in 2013. He tied for third in the FBS with seven interceptions. He's also the type of larger corner that teams are looking for following the success of the Seattle Seahawks secondary.
Gilbert is also an excellent kick returner, having brought back six for touchdowns during his time with the Cowboys.