The Cleveland Browns raised eyebrows during the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting two rookie quarterbacks, but have they made a costly mistake? An expert suggests Dillon Gabriel might not be up to standard for the professional game.
Gabriel was taken from the Oregon Ducks in the third round, before Shedeur Sanders followed in the fifth as they reinforce Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in a QB room with everything up for grabs after Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury.
However, this unusual decision has sparked debate and John Middlekauff, an ex-NFL scout, has ripped into the call as he suggests political motivations played a role in overlooking Sanders, who was a projected first rounder.
“He’s [Dillon Gabriel] really small. I mean, really small-5’11”, 205,” Middlekauff said on his 3 and Out podcast. “I think he plays more like 190 pounds.
“He’s not a big-time athlete, so he’s not really running around. Unless your offensive line is the Eagles, you’re going to be under siege in the NFL. And when you’re small, you get crushed. And he does not have a great arm.
“So, I think if Shedeur Sanders did not exist in this draft or had been drafted, let’s say, in the second round, I think the Browns would have just taken Gabriel in the fourth or fifth round.
“I know a lot of people that thought there was a chance he was going to go undrafted.”
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This remark implies that Gabriel may have been elevated simply to avoid the media and public scrutiny that would accompany selecting Shedeur, as the son of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was criticized for his off-field passions and interests.
The Browns now find themselves with four quarterbacks competing for the starting job and it’s Flacco who is tipped to land the gig, priced at +100 odds to be the Week 1 starter by Bet365, followed closely by Pickett at +200.
Of the two rookies, Gabriel is seen as more likely to earn a starting role, albeit with lower odds of +500. Sanders trails with distant odds at +850, meaning he isn’t expected to take any snaps against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
However the head coach, Kevin Stefanski, has reiterated that all quarterbacks will have a fair opportunity to prove themselves during training camp and the preseason so there is time for his picture to evolve.
Yet despite that comment, one of them might not even be around for the opening game at the Huntington Bank Field in September as reports tips Joe Flacco to be traded away, possible to the New England Patriots.
“The Patriots showed interest in Flacco earlier this offseason,” Mark Sipos said. “Before he re-signed with Cleveland.
“Flacco would give New England a no-nonsense veteran who can manage the quarterback room, help prep Maye for gameday, and step in if needed without derailing the offense.”
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