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The first defensive back of the 2014 NFL Draft is officially off the board and the Browns have already made two trades.
Former Oklahoma State corner Justin Gilbert was taken eighth overall by the Browns in the first round on Thursday. Gilbert and Darqueze Denard were widely considered to be the two top corners in the draft, but apparently Cleveland liked Gilbert more than Denard.
Not only that, but the Browns apparently really liked Gilbert because they traded up to No. 8 to get him.
The Browns sent the 145th pick in the draft to Minnesota for the right to move up from nine to eight. Through eight picks, the Browns have already made two trades. Cleveland dropped from the fourth overall pick to the ninth overall pick after making a trade with Buffalo that netted them the Bills first-round pick in 2015.
CBSSports.com senior writer Pete Prisco didn't think much of the pick.
Justin Gilbert: I liked two other CBs better, but Browns need corner help. Why not a QB? GRADE: C http://t.co/KPxAyHqyNs
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) May 9, 2014
As a senior at Oklahoma State in 2013, Gilbert led the Big 12 and ranked fourth in the nation with seven interceptions. The former Sooner is a scoring machine, during his four years at Oklahoma State, Gilbert scored a total of eight non-offensive touchdowns.
The electric defensive back can also do damage on special teams. Gilbert averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return during his college career, including a school-record tying 100-yard return for a touchdown in 2013.
The only knock on Gilbert, according to NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang, is that his technique and footwork are inconsistent. "He is too grabby in tight coverage, and his contact downfield will easily attract penalties at the next level," Rang says.
Here are some of the fiscal details...
Justin Gilbert should sign a fully GTD 4-year, $12,833,502 deal with a $2,333,364 '14 cap number. His signing bonus should be $7,653,456.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) May 9, 2014
Gilbert is the first Oklahoma State corner to go in the first round since 1998 when the 49ers took R.W. McQuarters with the 28th overall pick.