Browns trade CB Justin Gilbert to Steelers
The Steelers have acquired Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert for a sixth-round pick in the 2018 draft, the team announced.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news. Gilbert, 24, was the eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft, considered one of the top defensive backs in his draft class. He is bound for a division rival, with head coach Hue Jackson not guaranteeing his place on the roster when talking to reporters Friday.
“Justin did some things better (this preseason),” Jackson said on a conference call, according to Cleveland.com. “Everything has an opportunity to be evaluated, everything that every player's done. Our goal and our job is to make sure that we keep the best players here.
“Do I think he's improved? Yeah. Are we going to sit down and evaluate and talk through every opportunity that a young man has had and we can see where they fit for our football team? We're going to do that also.”
The Browns traded another former Top 10 pick, 2013 first rounder Barkevious Mingo, to the Patriots this week.
Cleveland opens the season Sept. 11 in Philadelphia.
