Browns draft QB Dillon Gabriel: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel

New York Times

26-04-2025

The Cleveland Browns selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the No. 94 pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gabriel played six seasons of college football, spending three years at UCF, two at Oklahoma and his final campaign at Oregon. He's thrown a total of 155 touchdown passes and only 32 interceptions at those three stops, including 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 2024.
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He led the American Athletic Conference in 2020 with 3,570 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes. He also led the Big 12 in 2023 with 3,660 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and a 69.3 completion percentage.
Gabriel joins a Browns quarterback room that includes veteran Joe Flacco and 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett as the only other healthy passers on the roster.
'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 the 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.'
The Browns needed to take a quarterback at some point. But Gabriel was ranked the No. 9 QB in the class by Brugler, and at 5-foot-11, he's probably too small to ever be a real NFL starter. The Browns must think otherwise to be taking him with a top 100 pick, but this one is hard to explain.
Gabriel put up big numbers at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, and in his final college game in January, eventual national champion Ohio State made him look small and overwhelmed. Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the Browns like Gabriel's accuracy, poise and decision-making, so we'll see what happens.
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The Browns will hold an open competition this spring and summer for the starting quarterback job. Gabriel will start as the No. 3 behind Flacco and Pickett, both of whom are signed only through the 2025 season. The Browns appear to be playing for the future with their acquisition of Jacksonville's 2026 first-round pick, and they could be playing for a quarterback late next season.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard or any other offensive player on the board. The Browns have glaring needs at wide receiver and across the offensive line, but they chose a short quarterback. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Gabriel has 'found a way to get it done' by finding throwing lanes and changing arm angles.
The Browns like Gabriel's big-game college experience and obviously like his makeup at the end of a long and thorough quarterback search. It's just hard to believe Gabriel will ever be a starter or real option for the team's short- or long-term thinking.