Name: Justin Gilbert

Position: Cornerback

School: Oklahoma State

The past few seasons the Philadelphia Eagles have tried to address their cornerback position via free agency with little avail. First was the signing of former Raider Nnamdi Asomugha, who didn’t really pan out for the Eagles when they went on a spending spree bringing in what they thought were quality free agents in the 2011 offseason.

Then again last offseason the Eagles brought in Cary Williams fresh off his Super Bowling win with the Baltimore Ravens. Williams had comparable production to his 2012 campaign but at times looked hesitant when taking a ball carrier head on. With the offensive weapons in today’s NFL, teams are in need of more than a couple cornerbacks.

How Gilbert Fits the Eagles

Justin Gilbert has size and speed. The defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks have set the new standard for what a NFL cornerback should be. While he isn’t as tall as Richard Sherman, Gilbert does have the length advantage. This will allow him to make plays for the Eagles defense who desperately need play makers with their issues at the safety position.

Potential Impact as a Rookie

Adding Gilbert to the mix allows the Eagles to be a little more creative with their front seven. On top of that the safeties can take more gambles when the ball is in the air. With Gilbert’s athleticism he can undercut a route and still have the ability to get to the ball regardless of where it is thrown. Gilbert is the type of talent that will start right away and make the plays for the defense. Gilbert should put his stamp on the defensive rookie of the year race.

What Gilbert Does Well

Gilbert is an exceptional player with the ball in his hands. Once he either returns a kick or intercepts a pass, Gilbert has the vision to create damage. In that aspect he is just as dangerous as a ball carrier as a defender. The one thing that Gilbert does better than anything else is his footwork and how fluid his hips are. If he gets beat, Gilbert has the ability to close the gap on a receiver.

What Gilbert Struggles With

When he gets into a NFL camp, Gilbert will need to work on his technique. He can’t rely on his athleticism to get him out of trouble the way he did in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Another issue that I found when watching Gilbert is that he needs to work on his discipline. He often looks for the big play on defense which ultimately could result in giving up a big play.