Dillon Gabriel is expected to stick around with the Cleveland Browns, but he’ll be fighting for a roster spot — not the starting job.
Gabriel is part of a packed quarterback room that also includes Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and incoming rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green. Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com says the starting conversation is exclusively between Watson and Sanders.
“They’re not keeping Gabriel on the roster just to trade him. The new coaching staff has liked what it’s seen of him so far this offseason, and believe he’s worth a longer look,” Cabot said. “With Green on board, those two will essentially vie for the developmental spot, while Watson and Sanders battle for the starting job.
“They must get Watson and Sanders ready to play, and those two will split the starting reps while Gabriel and Green get the third- and fourth-team work.”
Gabriel took over the starting job from Joe Flacco earlier than expected last season, going 1-5 in six starts. He finished his rookie campaign with 937 passing yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions before losing the job to Shedeur Sanders after suffering a concussion.
While under center, Gabriel leaned heavily on a conservative approach, rarely pushing the ball downfield.
Taylen Green Brings New Element for Browns
The addition of Green creates some competition for Gabriel as he looks to remain in Cleveland. The former Arkansas quarterback is a dynamic athlete, which makes him a different type of developmental prospect.
At 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds, he is one of the most physically gifted prospects in the class. At the NFL Combine, he posted a 43.5-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump, setting quarterback records at the combine. He also ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, the third-fastest time ever recorded by a quarterback at the event.
The Browns could decide that Green deserves a roster spot over Gabriel if he carves out a role in a particular package meant for short yardage. Todd Monken sounded intrigued by the idea after picking Green.
“Certainly, when you have a player with those kinds of traits, when can you utilize those? Obvious reasons — short yardage, goal line, four-minute, critical times when you’ve got to be able to run the ball and the defense is going to have an extra element in the box, having an athletic quarterback can be critical to having success,” Monken said. “It adds some value with his ability to throw it, compared to when you get in those situations as opposed to having to go wildcat. It’s not that Q (Quinshon Judkins) can’t throw it, but I would doubt he can throw it as well, as the young man we just took.”
Browns QB Dillon Gabriel ‘Running Own Race’
Gabriel addressed the media for the first time since losing the starting job last season, speaking during the Browns’ voluntary veteran minicamp. While he appeared to be on the outside looking in during the portion of practice open to reporters, the young quarterback made it clear his focus hasn’t wavered.
“I think I’m just running my own race and focused on what I can control,” Gabriel said. “That’s mastering my reps and doing it a high level.”
Whoever wins the starting quarterback job will have an upgraded supporting cast. The Browns have focused both in free agency and in the draft on improving the offense. Cleveland has rebuilt its offensive line nearly from scratch and added two dynamic pass-catchers in the draft in KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston.
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