2014 NFL Draft: Best Landing Spots For Justin Gilbert By Kai Weiß March 24, 2014 9:41 pm 
With players like Darqueze Dennard, Jason Verrett, Kyle Fuller, Bradley Roby and others, the 2014 NFL Draft cornerback class is packed full of potential future pro bowlers and high-quality starters. The best one, though, is Oklahoma State‘s Justin Gilbert. The 22-year-old is projected to be a top 15, at worst a top 25 pick in May. The main reasons for this are his top-notch cover skills and his playmaker ability. With the ball in his hands, anything can happen, which he proved numerous times as kick returner at the college level. Furthermore, he has a great football IQ and lots of athletic potential.On the other hand, there is one big weakness in his game: Gilbert is not a big hitter and his effort in tackling is inconsistent. These problems can be solved, though.There are many teams who are in need of a cornerback. However, most of these teams won‘t have a chance of selecting him, as they are too low in the draft order, like for example the San Diego Chargers or Cincinnati Bengals. As Gilbert will probably be picked between the 7th and 15th spot, these teams should be looked at specifically. And incidentally, these franchises in particular could use a cornerback the best: 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an outstanding first week of free agency, acquiring among others pro bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner. The former Tennessee Titan will fill in one spot on the depth chart, but the other one is still a question mark, as Darrelle Revis was cut and Charles Tillman decided to come back to Chicago. Gilbert could start immediately, and this in a promising defense which has a chance to be one of the league‘s best next season. 4. Pittsburgh SteelersIke Taylor‘s performance in the 2013 campaign was a shadow of his former self. The career of the two-time super bowl champion has reached its peak for sure, and otherwise the secondary looks very thin as well. Even though Cortez Allen could be a future starter and William Gay showed some promise last season, too, the Steelers have no other cornerback on the roster left who is capable of playing a significant amount of snaps. Gilbert would certainly be able to do this. 3. Tennessee Titans At the moment the Buccanneers signed Alterraun Verner, the Titans‘ secondary was taking a major hit. Verner was the leader of the squad last year and the only experienced player besides Jason McCourty left. Now, the Titans need to replace the 25-year-old, as the roster looks otherwise worrying. At the 11th spot in the draft, Gilbert wouldn‘t be a reach either, more like the perfect pick. The selection would strengthen the cornerback position straightaway and for Gilbert himself, it would be a great opportunity to build up a reputation in the league. 2. Chicago BearsThe Chicago Bears went into the offseason with no starting cornerback on the roster, but a little more than three months later, they solved their problem with the re-signings of Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman. With this development, everything should be set for this season, but no one really knows what will happen next year when Tillman‘s contract expires once again. It could very well be the case that the already 33-year-old says good-bye and retires. Justin Gilbert - a playmaker like Tillman, would be the perfect replacement. And before he steps into the spotlight, he could learn one or two things from the two pro bowl players. 1. Detroit LionsAre there any mock drafts out there not projecting the Lions taking Mike Evans, Darqueze Dennard or Justin Gilbert? At least it doesn‘t seem like it, which should be evidence enough that the Lions are in need of wide receivers and especially of cornerbacks. Year in, year out, Detroit has been excited about their secondary involving their own injury-prone players. There should be an end. And the end would definitely come with the selection of Justin Gilbert with the 10th overall pick. The Lions would get an amazing contributor, and Gilbert a place in one of the most promising teams in the NFL http://www.footballnation.com/content/2014-nfl-draft-best-landing-spots-for-justin-gilbert/28978/
