Browns draft Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at No. 94 in the third round – Cleveland.com
2025-04-26T02:53:00Z
The Browns drafted QB Dillon Gabriel at 94.
BEREA, Ohio — The Browns finally drafted a quarterback in the 2025 class, but not the one everyone thought.
They rattled the NFL world by selecting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) in the third round with the No. 94 pick, their last of four picks on Day 2. In a draft in which they had numerous chances to take Shedeur Sanders — who was still surprisingly on the board at end of Round 3 — they completely reversed field.
Gabriel, who’s played six years of college ball, will compete with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for the starting job, in the first open quarterback competition of Kevin Stefanski’s tenure.
The Browns have been doing their due diligence on Gabriel, 24, from the jump, but it flew completely under the radar.
They brought him in to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for a top 30 visit on the very first day along with their top candidates for the No. 2 overall pick: Sanders, Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Will Campbell. Cam Ward came in the next day.
Then, the day before they headed to Colorado for the NFL showcase of Sanders and Hunter, they flew Air Haslam out to Eugene, Oregon, for a private workout and dinner with Gabriel, owner Jimmy Haslam included. The private sessions never leaked out.
But Gabriel, one of the shortest quarterbacks in the NFL — think Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson — is used to being overlooked.
“I’m not for everyone,” Gabriel told CBS Sports at the NFL Combine. “For the wrong NFL evaluators, (they’re) teams that I just don’t wanna be on in that case anyways. I think alignment is so important, from coaches, players, to ownership. For me, every team that I’ve met with that I’ve feel really good about, have voiced to me they don’t give a rip about it. They value me for the right things, and that’s decision making, efficiency, accuracy, all things that translate. To be quite honest, all guys that have done it, have been just fine. To each their own. … I don’t wanna be like anyone else.”
The Browns also spent quality time with Gabriel at the Senior Bowl, where Browns special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone served as head coach of the American Team, and Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire served as defensive coordinator of the National Team for which Gabriel played. He excelled in the game, executing a trick play that led to a touchdown, and finishing 4 of 6 passing for 28 yards. He also completed a two-point pass to tight end Elijah Arroyo on the opening drive.
He ran plenty of trick plays at Oregon, where he played only last season after three years at UCF and two Oklahoma.
“I just think playing a lot of football, having a lot of experience, being in a lot of places, and playing with a lot of different teams,” Gabriel said. “But you learn a lot about yourself through that process, and, you know, finding a way how to win. So it’s a big blessing, and I’m excited to be here.”
Berry acknowledged the extensive amount of time spent with Gabriel, so much so that it seems they wouldn’t have taken Jalen Milroe at 94 if he hadn’t gone to the Seahawks at 92.
“Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with the anticipation, good mobility,” Berry said. “We just thought he had a really well-rounded game and the biggest negative that you can say about him is he doesn’t have ideal hype, but that’s not something that we felt like showed up in his game or his film at UCF Oklahoma and certainly not at Oregon this year.”
Stefanski acknowledged that Gabriel, who finished his college career as the FBS all-time leader in total touchdowns (189) while matching Case Keenum for the all the all-time record for passing touchdowns (155), will have a chance to compete with Pickett and Flacco for the starting job.
“All of our players are competing for starting jobs, I think,” Stefanski said. “But the most important part for any player walking into our building is really focusing on the work that it’s going to entail. We’ll get our hands on them in a couple of weekends at the rookie mini camp, but we anticipate all of our players to carve out a role, whether that’s as a starter, as a backup, it’s really no different here.”
The FBS leader with 63 career starts, Gabriel expects to come in and compete.
“My definite expectation is just creating value and create impact, and that’s wherever I’ve been,” he said. “I only know how to be the starter, but I also know that a healthy quarterback room is important and being able to compete day in and day out is naturally what happens and part of what we do.”
Despite going head to head with an 18-year veteran and Super Bowl MVP in Flacco, Gabriel doesn’t plan to let the moment be too big for him.
“No. 1, they’re my teammates now and I’ve got a level of respect for my teammates and being able to build that,” he said. “And that’s going to happen from day one. You’ve got to build that and put the time in and build trust. But two, I’m confident in my abilities. I know what my strengths are, I know what I’m able to do.
“I know what I bring to the table and I’m confident in that, but also know that I’m a sponge, I can learn from anyone, and that’s Joe or another rookie that’s coming in with me. I’m excited to grow, but I’m also excited to compete because like I said, it’s a business about results and that’s what I’ve been focused on. I want to win and that’s what I’m going to continue to pride myself on.”
Gabriel also address his height, which he’s had to answer for his entire career.
“This whole time in my journey, everyone has focused on limitations,” he said. “Naturally people do that, but that’s why it’s a game of producing. It’s my way of life. It is how I’ve had to live. It’s just producing on a high level in order to make sure that my play is respected on a certain level … at the end of the day it’s 11-on-11, how decisive are you? How can you speed up your processing? Can you be deadly accurate? That’s all stuff that translates to the NFL.”
Here’s Pro Football Focus’ analysis of Gabriel:
“Gabriel has been on a long college football journey, but the road has led him to an ideal destination. A former three-star recruit and Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year for Hawaii, he traveled about as far from home as possible to play at UCF. After three years there, he transferred to Oklahoma for two seasons before finishing his career at Oregon.
“A natural left-handed passer, Gabriel is small—below the 10th percentile in both height and weight for the NFL level—but he simply knows how to play the position better than most, reminiscent of Bryce Young in that regard. He throws the most catchable passes in the class. His feet are lightning-quick, allowing him to reset for every throw, and his throwing motion is compact and efficient. He demonstrates a high IQ for the position, navigating the pocket smoothly and confidently while showing the ability to scan the entire field. His overall arm talent is limited and average at best for the NFL. He often has to put his entire body into his throws.”
Strengths
• Quick movements for fast releases
• Quick footwork in the pocket to avoid pressure
• Does not panic under pressure
• Knows how to get through his progressions, even under duress
Weaknesses
• Lefty quarterback, which can an adjustment for some receivers
• Wide leg kick and open hips compromises accuracy on quick throws
• Height will make middle-of-the-field throws a challenge in the NFL
• True arm strength is below average for the NFL
• Mobility is adequate for college but won’t be as effective in NFL
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