Dillon Gabriel isn't your average rookie. Most kids coming out of the draft are wide-eyed and green, but when the Cleveland Browns called Gabriel’s name with the 94th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, they weren't getting a project. They were getting a guy who had already started 63 college games. That’s a lot of football.
The Browns' quarterback room has been a revolving door of chaos for years, and Gabriel was supposed to be the "steady hand" pick. He was the record-breaker from Oregon, the guy with 155 career touchdowns and an arm that seemed to find windows most scouts thought were closed. But honestly? The 2025 season didn't exactly go to script for the southpaw from Mililani, Hawaii.
The 2025 Season Reality Check
When the season kicked off, Joe Flacco was the guy under center. We all remember that vibe—it was supposed to be the veteran bridge to the future. But things move fast in the NFL. Flacco eventually moved on to the Bengals, and suddenly, the keys were handed to Gabriel.
He stepped in as the starter for six games.
It was rough.
Cleveland went 1-5 during that stretch. Now, you can't pin all of that on a rookie, especially not in a system that was feeling the heat from a mounting injury list. But Gabriel struggled with the speed of the NFL pass rush. At 5'11", the concerns about his height—the same ones that saw him slide to the third round despite his monstrous college stats—started to look a bit more valid. He threw for some yards, sure, but the consistency just wasn't there yet.
Then came the concussion. It’s the part of the game nobody likes to talk about, but it changed the trajectory of the season. With Gabriel sidelined, the Browns turned to their other rookie, Shedeur Sanders, who they'd actually snagged later in the fifth round.
The Shedeur Sanders Factor
This is where it gets kinda messy for Gabriel’s long-term outlook in Cleveland. While Gabriel was the higher pick, Sanders came in and immediately injected a different kind of energy. Sanders went 3-4 in his seven starts. He threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Those aren't Hall of Fame numbers, but he won his first start against the Raiders and looked a bit more comfortable under the bright lights of the fourth quarter.
Now, as we sit here in early 2026, the Browns find themselves in a familiar, albeit strange, position. They have:
- Dillon Gabriel: The third-round "pro-ready" lefty who struggled to find his rhythm.
- Shedeur Sanders: The fifth-round spark plug who has the locker room’s attention but still throws too many picks.
- Deshaun Watson: Still under contract, still recovering, and still the largest financial question mark in the history of the franchise.
What Most People Get Wrong About Gabriel
If you just look at the 1-5 record, you'd think Gabriel is a bust. That’s a lazy take. You've gotta look at the context of those games.
Gabriel’s greatest strength in college was his anticipation. He doesn't have a cannon, but he usually knows where the ball needs to be before the receiver even breaks. In Cleveland, the timing was just off. Whether it was the rotating door at left tackle or the pressure of being the "savior" in a city that eats quarterbacks for breakfast, Gabriel looked hesitant.
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But let's be real—Andrew Berry and the front office didn't draft him to be a one-year wonder. They liked his poise. They liked that he had seen every possible defensive look during his stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. One bad six-game stretch doesn't erase the fact that he's the all-time FBS touchdown leader.
The Hawaii Connection and Mentorship
One thing that doesn't get enough play is Gabriel's relationship with Marcus Mariota. Growing up in Hawaii, Gabriel idolized Mariota. He even wore No. 8 at Oregon to honor him. Throughout this rocky first year in Cleveland, Gabriel has reportedly leaned on Mariota for advice on handling the mental grind of the NFL.
That mental toughness is going to be tested.
Right now, the Browns hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. General Manager Andrew Berry was recently noncommittal about who the starter will be in September. He basically said the team is going to "do their work on the quarterback market." That’s GM-speak for "nobody's job is safe."
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Why the Height Argument is (Sorta) Overblown
People love to point at the 5'11" frame and say he can't see over the line. Look at Drew Brees. Look at Kyler Murray. It can be done. Gabriel's issue in 2025 wasn't necessarily seeing the open man; it was the "clutter" in the pocket. When the pocket collapsed, he didn't have the elite escapability of a Russell Wilson to bail him out.
He’s a rhythm passer. When he’s in the flow, he’s beautiful to watch. When he’s forced to play "hero ball," things go south.
What Happens Next?
The Browns just fired Kevin Stefanski. That is a massive variable. A new head coach means a new system, and a new system means everyone starts from zero. Gabriel has a four-year rookie contract, so he’s not going anywhere, but his path to being "the guy" just got a lot steeper.
If the new coach wants a mobile, high-ceiling playmaker, they might lean toward Sanders or even use that No. 6 pick on a fresh face. If they want a high-IQ distributor who can execute a timing-based offense, Gabriel might actually thrive.
Actionable Insights for Browns Fans
If you're tracking Gabriel’s progress heading into the 2026 preseason, keep an eye on these specific indicators:
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- Pocket Presence: Watch his feet in the preseason. If he's drifting into pressure instead of stepping up, he hasn't fixed the primary issue from his rookie year.
- The New OC: Whoever the Browns hire as Offensive Coordinator will tell you everything you need to know about Gabriel’s future. Look for a hire with a history of working with "point guard" style quarterbacks.
- Trade Value: There were rumors last August that teams were calling about Gabriel after the Browns drafted Sanders. If Cleveland takes another QB at No. 6, Gabriel becomes the most attractive backup trade bait in the league.
- The Weight Room: Reports out of Berea suggest Gabriel is trying to add about 5-10 pounds of lean mass to better handle the physical toll of the AFC North.
Dillon Gabriel is a survivor. He survived three different college programs and came out on top at every single one. He’s currently down, but counting him out because of a messy rookie season in a messy organization would be a mistake. The talent is there; the situation just needs to stop being a disaster. For now, he's a talented kid in a very tight spot, waiting for a chance to prove the 2025 season was a fluke.