Browns DC Ray Horton Comments on Justin Gilbert's Status with Team

If not for Johnny Manziel's unmitigated meltdown, Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert would garner more attention for the downright bust he's been as a 2014 first-round draft pick.  

But even as the Browns transition to a new regime, they are holding out hope for the former eighth overall pick. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton spoke Wednesday about how Gilbert is still in the process of being evaluated, per Pro Football Talk's Zac Jackson:

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We weren't here and we don't know what went on the last two years. All we know is what went on film and tape from today. Everybody has a clean slate, and you go out and work hard. Is [Gilbert] a work in progress? Yes. Is he carrying anything from four months ago? Not in my book he's not. He's just one of the players that we want to help us win a championship here. ...

He has a lot of God-given ability that [we], as coaches, have to get out.

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Gilbert was perceived as the most physically gifted corner in the 2014 draft class, but his lack of production to date has drawn deserved scrutiny.

By trading down to select Gilbert, the Browns passed up the chance to bring aboard a premier playmaker such as Mike Evans or Odell Beckham Jr. Their woeful whiff on Manziel also went a long way to sealing the fate of former general manager Ray Farmer.

Gilbert appeared in only nine games in 2015 despite top cornerback Joe Haden missing most of the season. The 24-year-old was often a healthy scratch, getting eclipsed on the depth chart by the likes of sixth-round rookie Charles Gaines, among others.

With Haden recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Gilbert is getting ample opportunities to prove himself in organized team activities to Horton and Cleveland's new coaching staff led by Hue Jackson.

There isn't much to glean from Horton's comments in terms of Gilbert's outlook for 2016. The Browns invested a lot in him, and he has the natural talent to justify an extended look this far in advance of the regular season.

Considering Gilbert was lining up at receiver at times during practice last year, he is indeed a "work in progress," as Horton put it. Perhaps it was a misguided wish-fulfillment scenario after Cleveland missed out on Evans, Beckham and any receiver in the loaded 2014 and 2015 draft classes.

The Browns didn't hold back at wideout in this year's draft, using four of their 14 selections at the position, including first-rounder Corey Coleman.

"Work in progress" may be too kind of an assessment given the physical tools Gilbert has and how far short of expectations he's fallen to date. Jackson is reputed to be a no-nonsense type of coach, so if Gilbert is still failing to work hard or produce, he'll be held accountable and will continue to carry the label of being a draft bust.

Until Gilbert proves anything beyond a practice field in May, it's unreasonable to expect much of him beyond special teams coverage and occasional kickoff return duties.