The Browns have traded former first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert to the Steelers, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
A rare in-division trade gives Gilbert a fresh start. He was a disappointment in his first two seasons and made more news off the field than he made plays on it.
The Browns gave him chances to win a role throughout camp and the preseason, but he never really emerged and last week was placed in the league’s concussion protocol. His departure means the Browns now have zero of the six players they drafted in the first round from 2011-14 on their roster.
The Steelers are willing to take a chance on Gilbert because they need secondary depth and Gilbert has some athleticism and potential. Gilbert can also return kicks.
NFL Network reported that the Steelers sent a 2018 sixth-round pick to the Browns for Gilbert.
Like was the case when the Browns traded Barkevious Mingo to the Patriots last month, Gilbert probably wasn’t in the Browns’ plans, so getting anything in return for him would have to be considered a bonus.