Because the Shedeur Sanders wait has shifted right into a traditionally unusual place, the Browns made a quarterback decide. They’re taking Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel at No. 94.
Minutes earlier than this growth, Ian Rapoport famous throughout an look on NFL Community that Gabriel’s identify had come up as a candidate to be chosen earlier than Sanders. That can be true of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe as Sanders stays on the board.
The Browns have been continually linked to a rookie addition throughout the predraft course of. A Day 1 transfer, as anticipated, didn’t happen, however Friday supplied the chance to herald a backup choice. Cleveland was reported to be excessive on Milroe, however with him going to the Seahawks two picks in the past that was not an choice within the third spherical. As a substitute, Gabriel will look to compete for taking part in time as a Brown.
Cleveland has Deshaun Watson on the books for 2025, however his second Achilles tear leaves him in peril of lacking your complete season. The staff traded for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett in March, however that transfer was not deemed the one one the staff was eyeing. Even after a Joe Flacco reunion happened, the potential of including a rookie in some unspecified time in the future remained.
Gabriel has emerged as that rookie. The 24-year-old started his profession at UCF, spending three seasons there. That stretch was adopted by a pair of campaigns at Oklahoma earlier than 2024’s single 12 months with the Geese. Gabriel delivered robust numbers (72.9% completion proportion, career-high 3,857 yards, 30:6 touchdown-to-interception ratio) whereas main Oregon to the School Soccer Playoff. Gabriel completed third in Heisman voting.
Despite these accolades, his age and measurement (5-foot-11, 205 kilos) led to the expectation a Day 3 choice could be doubtless. Gabriel has not wanted to attend that lengthy, although, and the Browns now have additional depth on their QB depth chart.
