Dawgs By Nature
Rookie QB looking for consistent results to help him stand out in crowded competition.
The Cleveland Browns surprised many when they selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gabriel brings a wealth of experience, having played in 64 games across three schools during his six-year collegiate career. That time on the field helped him hone the mental side of quarterbacking, particularly his ability to read defenses.
Related: Former NFL QB says Shedeur Sanders was custom-made for Stefanski’s offense
He was also prolific, passing for more than 3,500 yards and 29 or more touchdowns in a season four times. Gabriel closed out his collegiate career by picking up Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors while leading the Ducks to a perfect regular season and Big Ten title.
The biggest thing holding Gabriel back is his size, as he is just 5-foot-11, a height that historically has not spelled success for quarterbacks at the NFL level.
Given that the Browns have been on a perpetual quest for a quarterback, a quarterback with Gabriel’s numbers would normally be receiving a considerable amount of attention from media and fans eager to see the rookie in action.
However, this is no ordinary situation, as Gabriel is one of four quarterbacks on the roster who will be competing for a roster spot this summer. With fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders attracting much of the spotlight, Gabriel risks being overshadowed despite his impressive college stats.
With the Browns going through mandatory minicamp this week, Gabriel talked about how he is approaching the situation (quote via a team-provided transcript):
“… as a competitor, you walk into that challenge and face it head-on. That’s what you appreciate about the game too. I think everyone in this game sees themselves as starters and that belief of self is why a lot of guys are in the NFL. So, you just continue to improve, continue to challenge yourself. And not a lot of people love it, but failure creates growth. Yet we live in a production-based business, so it’s hard for people to understand that balance.
“You love to stay process-driven. So being able to have a process, stick to it, continue to listen to your coaches, you know, and try to get better that way. That’s what I want to do. I want to build a solid foundation so that you’re banking on the process and then allowing that to have consistent results.”
Gabriel may have been a surprise pick by the Browns and will have to take advantage of every opportunity to stand out in a crowded quarterback room.
But if he can translate his college production to the NFL, the Browns may have finally taken a positive step forward in their search for a quarterback.
