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BEREA, Ohio -- Maligned corner Justin Gilbert is one of three top picks from the Browns' 2014 class that the team is openly hoping will improve this offseason. This punctuates a bigger problem. They need to publicly state they are hoping for this. Coach Mike Pettine doesn't have to say the same about second-round offensive guard Joel Bitonio or third-round linebacker Christian Kirksey. Both have played significant snaps from Day 1 and have acquitted themselves well. It's understood those two are pros. They are considered hits on the draft board. The Browns will be more patient with Johnny Manziel than most reactionary fans because the intricacies of the quarterback position require a larger sample size. But Manziel alluded to the fact that his 2014 preparation wasn't where it needed to be. He plans to change that, and seems to know he's officially in prove-it mode. Two veteran defensive teammates have spoken out about No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert, who's struggled in Pettine's press-man scheme and apparently has more to learn about being a pro. Safety Donte Whitner told ESPN that Gilbert needs to "grow up" and "stop being a kid," that his 2014 campaign was a wasted one. Linebacker Karlos Dansby said young players must "look in the mirror" while discussing Gilbert's future. "I'm confident we'll see a much better version of Justin next year," said Pettine, who added Gilbert has been dealing with some personal issues. Teams absolutely must hit on top-10 picks, and Gilbert will need a major resurgence next year to ensure the Browns do. Pettine believes players have spoken out on Gilbert because "they see how good he can be" with talent that he isn't maximizing. Third-round pick Terrance West's erratic stat lines say it all -- four games of 60-plus yards, four games of less than 15, and that's not counting a stint on the inactive list. The Browns' top half of last year's draft is accentuated by the lack of late-round picks . What will the Browns' batting average be in 12-to-24 months from now? If you don't believe in Manziel, the early average would be, at the highest, .500 as the current production stands. Gilbert and West aren't busts yet -- they'll get at least one more year to rebound -- but they aren't surefire hits yet. Fourth-rounder Pierre Desir has promise but has yet to play extended snaps. He can be considered a hit based on his fourth-round draft positioning. Left tackle Joe Thomas never had the problem these rookies are having, but he sees it every year. "Some guys get that maturity in college from the type of program they play in and what their coaches demanded. Some guys don't," Thomas said. "It's a wake-up call. When you get in the NFL they realize everybody's as talented as they are. The ones that succeed in the NFL are the ones that put in the work in practice and in the meeting room and take it seriously and show how important it is every day.
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