Right now, the most talked-about team in the NFL is undoubtedly the Cleveland Browns, thanks to the presence of the most media-hyped player today: Shedeur Sanders – a quarterback who hasn’t played a single snap in the league, and it’s uncertain if he’ll even get a chance to play in a regular-season game.
The idea of writing that statement would’ve seemed unthinkable before the recent Draft. Remember, Shedeur Sanders was once considered a first-round talent, second only to the quarterback who was widely expected to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans – which is exactly what happened. But that wasn’t the case for Sanders.
Shedeur Sanders was eventually selected in the fifth round, and several quarterbacks were taken before him. It wasn’t until pick No. 144 that the former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback was selected by the Browns – a team that had already drafted Dillon Gabriel from the Oregon Ducks two rounds earlier.
Dillon Gabriel has the Cleveland Browns coaching staff excited
During recent OTAs and minicamp, a controversial situation unfolded: three of the four quarterbacks got chances to practice with the first team. One of those was Dillon Gabriel. The one left out? Shedeur Sanders. And slowly, the reasons for that decision have started to become clear.
It turns out that Dillon Gabriel is favored by head coach Kevin Stefanski. Gabriel was selected before Sanders and had several standout moments with the Oregon Ducks during his final college season. ESPN’s Tony Grossi revealed that the Browns coaching staff is backing Gabriel – not Sanders.
“They are intrigued by Dillon Gabriel,” Grossi said. “They think, from the neck up, he is a No. 1 pick.”
What Grossi suggests is that Gabriel has the football IQ to read defenses exceptionally well – there’s no doubt he’s a smart quarterback. His main drawback, however, is his height (5-foot-11). The former Ducks QB might struggle to see over NFL defensive lines, which is likely why he was viewed as a late-round prospect.
Dillon Gabriel threw for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions to lead the Oregon Ducks to the Rose Bowl. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting – an award that ultimately went to Travis Hunter.
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