Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel were probably not the plan but, with how the NFL draft played out, a good swing
Last Thursday morning, if I told you that the Cleveland Browns were going to draft two quarterbacks in this past draft, you probably wouldn’t believe me, but they did.
Cleveland drafted Oregon quarterback Dillion Gabriel in the 3rd round, which surprised a lot of people. It didn’t stop there, as the Browns decided to double-dip and they decided to trade up in the 5th round to take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Sanders slide was a shock to a lot of people, but Cleveland traded up to get him. The Browns needed to address the quarterback position this offseason and they did. However, it doesn’t mean that the problem has been addressed.
Cleveland still doesn’t have a long-term answer at the position. Drafting Gabriel and Sanders allows the team to understand if either guy is the answer and they could move off of one or both depending on how things work out.
Low-risk drafting the two quarterbacks after the first two rounds with high rewards if either ends up being the long-term starter.
Both Sanders and Gabriel will get fair opportunities to win the starting quarterback job
Both Sanders and Gabriel were drafted by the Browns for a reason. When it comes to Gabriel, it appears that the team liked Gabriel enough to draft him in the 3rd round. Drafting him that high was considered a “reach” to most.
.@NathanZegura as to why the Browns loved Dillon Gabriel so much and makes it clear that Shedeur Sanders will be given what he earns in Cleveland. @InfSportsNet pic.twitter.com/dzz5M3vG1N
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) April 29, 2025
Dillon Gabriel is a fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offense:
“Stylistically he fits” @BallyBet | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/2mMpeh7jc1— Cleveland Browns Daily (@Browns_Daily) April 29, 2025
Gabriel has clear limitations in his game. Athletically, he’s average. He has the ability to scramble out of the pocket and he has some improvisation in his game. Think of Tua Tagovailoa from an alternate universe. Plays really well within structure and has great accuracy with his passes. Gabriel was a Heisman finalist in his last year at Oregon after transferring from Oklahoma, but previously started his career at the University of Central Florida.
Despite his limitations, he’s a solid quarterback and he can run the system that the Browns have in place.
Sanders is a polarizing prospect. Many believed that the Colorado QB was a 1st round pick in this QB draft class, but Sanders didn’t hear his name called on the first day. Day 2 came along, and he still didn’t hear his name. It was stunning considering how many believed that Sanders would’ve been a Day 2 pick if he didn’t go night 1 of the draft, but he ended up being chosen on Day 3 in the 5th round.
Getting Sanders in the 5th round was great value for the Browns. Let’s not fool ourselves with Sanders, he’s talented. The one thing that stands out about Sanders is how talented of a pure passer he is. When he’s on, he’s on. As far as his limitations go, we know about the arm strength and being an average athlete. However, what he struggles with is drifting in the pocket more than he should and he lacks the ability to create out of structure. Despite the limitations, he’s a good quarterback.
Gabriel and Sanders will both get equal opportunities to earn the starting job, and it will start for them when rookie minicamp starts in May. Both have strong work ethics and will do whatever it takes to make a good impression on the coaching staff. We will get a better understanding of how the team views both when they are on the field together. How many reps will they get? Will Sanders get 1st team reps? Or Gabriel? Will the reps be split evenly? We are far away from training camp and joint practices, but it’s really going to be an interesting couple of months for what will happen between the two rookies.