Browns Open To Possibly Using Justin Gilbert As A Receiver

Browns HC Mike Pettine told reporters on Thursday that because of numbers and injuries, they’ve had to use CB Justin Gilbert at receiver during practice, per Nate Ulrich.

According to Pettine, Gilbert didn’t look out of place at receiver during the practice sessions, per Ulrich.

In fact, Browns OC John DeFilippo said of Gilbert playing receiver: “[I]t’s definitely something we’ve talked about and are going to explore,” per Ulrich.

Cleveland also expects to have Gilbert operating as their kick returner in the coming weeks, so they’re clearly looking for more ways to get the former first-round pick involved.

Gilbert, 23, hasn’t come close to living up to his draft status since the Browns used the No. 8 overall pick on him last year.

He’s currently in the second year of his four-year, $12.83 million rookie contract that included $12,833,502 guaranteed. Gilbert will make base salaries of  $603,341 (2015), $786,682 (2016) and $970,023 (2017) over the remainder of the agreement.

This season, Gilbert has appeared in two games recording three tackles and contributing 110 kick return yards.