Dawgs By Nature
There aren’t just four quarterbacks on the Browns — Deshaun Watson could still factor in to storylines in 2025.
In Part 1 of our quarterback training camp preview for the Cleveland Browns, we looked at the team’s veteran quarterbacks who are competing for a starting role. In Part 2, we take a look at the team’s two rookies, and that other guy who is still on the roster.
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: Rookie | College: Oregon
Browns fans were surprised during the draft when the team selected Dillon Gabriel in the third round, perhaps more so because Shedeur Sanders was still on the board (to complicate matters, the team also landed Sanders on Day 3 of the draft).
DBN’s Matt Wilson did a scouting report on Gabriel, highlighting his dual-threat capability, while also pointing out that his skillset seems to fit best in a West Coast, playaction-heavy style of offense. Some don’t believe that teams project Gabriel as a starting quarterback in this league, which begs the question as to why a third-round pick was taken on him. Then again, perhaps the team likes his potential to understand the offense and be a capable backup, something that is certainly needed when you look at the Browns’ slew of quarterback injuries over the past couple of years.
Here is what Dane Brugler of The Athletic said about Gabriel, the accurate lefty:
A one-year starter at Oregon, Gabriel was a productive passer in offensive coordinator Will Stein’s balanced spread scheme (51 percent pass to 49 percent run). After three seasons at UCF and two at Oklahoma, he led the Ducks to a 13-1 record and 2024 Big Ten Championship, winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and finishing third in Heisman Trophy voting. With six years of college football and 63 starts under his belt, he set the FBS record with 189 total touchdowns (155 passing, 33 rushing, one receiving) and ranks No. 2 all-time in passing yards (18,722).
A point guard-style quarterback, Gabriel is willing to scan from the pocket and deliver accurate balls with a twitchy release, although he is often too willing to bypass tight windows and settle for the checkdown. He isn’t an electric athlete, by any means, but he is very poised and confident and plays with exceptional feel for navigating pressure to create second-chance plays. Overall, Gabriel looks small in the pocket and has some limitations as a downfield thrower, but he is a rhythm passer with the football instincts and mature intangibles to overcome his physical shortcomings. A savvy lefty with a quick release, he has similarities to Tua Tagovailoa — and has a fighting chance to earn a backup role in the NFL.
During minicamp, the Browns gave Gabriel some action with the first-team offense (in split reps). I’m putting Gabriel’s roster odds at 100%, because GM Andrew Berry isn’t going to cut a third-round pick....
