The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback room is suddenly the center of the NFL’s most intriguing post-draft storylines. Two high-profile rookies, each with elite résumés and distinct paths, are now on a collision course in Cleveland. One has the NFL’s attention due to his famous last name and college highlights. The other? He’s quietly earning trust behind the scenes and might just be the guy that fits head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system. Then there is a case to be made for veteran Joe Flacco, while some odds also place former Steelers’ first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett as the favorite to land the QB1 role.

When Dillon Gabriel was picked by the Browns as the 94th overall pick, it divided opinion. ESPN’s Matt Miller and Jordan Reid both criticized the Browns’ selection of Gabriel, who transferred from UCF after the 2021 season to join the Oregon Ducks. “Drafting Gabriel toward the end of Round 3 was a head-scratcher based on value and was made even more confusing when the Browns added Shedeur Sanders in Round 5. Gabriel is a smart, experienced quarterback, but he’s undersized (6-foot, 200 pounds) and enters a crowded QB room,” Miller wrote. On the other hand, he had his supporters.

Analyst Lance Reisland defended the pick on the Orange and Brown Talk podcast. “He throws the ball on time. And once again, production over potential… I don’t care that he’s not 6-4. I don’t care that he’s not 220. I don’t care that he doesn’t have a rocket arm. He throws it on time. He anticipates very well,” he highlighted. And the support keeps coming for Gabriel, and this time it is from his fiancée, Zo Caswell.

Caswell took to Instagram to share a celebratory post. In one of the slides, the moment when Gabriel’s name was announced is captured in a video, and he can be seen honoring his Hawaiian roots as Caswell adorned him with garlands. Caswell also shared other photos of the couple celebrating the moment with friends and family and added the caption, “Cleveland!! We’re ready.”

Gabriel’s road to this point wasn’t conventional, but it was steady. From Hawaii to UCF, Oklahoma, and finally Oregon, Gabriel showed grit and adaptability at every stop. Across 63 college starts, he threw for more than 18,000 yards and 155 touchdowns. Despite standing at just 5’11”, his accuracy and consistent performance won over coaches and teammates alike.

That leadership quality, paired with his understanding of multiple offensive systems, appealed to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, who reportedly sees Dillon Gabriel as an ideal fit for his rhythm-based passing attack. Browns GM Andrew Berry echoed that confidence, saying, “Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with the anticipation, good mobility. We just thought he had a really well-rounded game. The biggest negative that you say about him is that he doesn’t have the ideal height. But that’s not something that we felt like showing up in his game.”

Gabriel himself addressed concerns about his size and draft stock, asserting, “I’m not for everyone, but I don’t want to be like anyone else either, so that works in my favor.” He emphasized his decision-making, efficiency, and accuracy as qualities that translate well to the NFL. For the Browns, he brings a dual threat in the QB room.

In his final season at Oregon, he completed 72.9% of his passes for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His ability to extend plays under pressure and maintain composure in the pocket made him a valuable asset. Gabriel’s experience across multiple offensive systems has equipped him with the adaptability and football IQ necessary for the NFL

Beyond his passing prowess, Gabriel’s athleticism adds another dimension to his game. He effectively uses his legs to evade pressure, execute designed runs, and keep plays alive, showcasing his improvisational skills. His mobility complements his passing, allowing him to operate effectively in play-action and roll-out scenarios.

While fans were still processing the selection, Stefanski’s preference was already taking shape. According to insiders, the Browns’ coach pushed hard for Gabriel, valuing his talent. But not everyone in the building was aligned. The front office had its eye on a bigger name: Shedeur Sanders.

Will Dillon Gabriel’s consistency outshine Sanders’ star power?

The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, Shedeur, entered the draft with buzz. At Colorado, he was a star athlete and the crowd favorite. He carried the weight of his father’s legacy on his shoulders, adding pressure to an already demanding path to the NFL.  In Colorado, he threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions in 2024.

Despite those numbers, Sanders fell to the fifth round, eventually being selected by the Browns. Many analysts and fans were surprised by his drop, as they had projected his selection in the first round itself. However, more concerns reportedly centered on his system fit, off-field distractions, and the high expectations that come with his last name.

Gabriel, by contrast, quietly climbed draft boards through production and consistency. In his final year at Oregon, he threw for 3,748 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Over six seasons, Dillon Gabriel suited up for 64 games and started 63 of them. That level of experience proved hard to overlook for Kevin Stefanski and Browns GM Andrew Berry “We spent a lot of time with Dillon throughout this process,” said Berry. “We brought him in right after the combine and did the private visit and workouts out in Eugene. Decorated college career, and very accurate and very poised. We just thought he had a really well-rounded game.”  While Shedeur Sanders may bring more flash, Gabriel offers the fundamentals, and Stefanski seems to favor the latter.

As the Browns prepare for minicamp, the quarterback competition is anything but settled. Sanders is undeniably talented, with the arm strength, mobility, and swagger to make plays at the next level. Dillon Gabriel, however, has already been through multiple offensive systems, adjusted to new locker rooms, and led teams under pressure.

In the end, whether it’s Gabriel’s quiet confidence or Sanders’ high-ceiling potential that ultimately wins out, one thing is clear: the Browns are entering a new era at quarterback.