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Daniel Oyefusi
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns used their remaining decide of Day 2 of the NFL draft on a quarterback, however with Shedeur Sanders nonetheless on the board, it wasn’t the passer many anticipated.
The Browns chosen former Oregon star Dillon Gabriel with the 94th total decide throughout Spherical 3 on Friday evening.
Gabriel grew to become the fifth quarterback drafted. Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart had been chosen by the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants, respectively, within the first spherical. Tyler Shough went within the second spherical (decide 40) to the New Orleans Saints. And Jalen Milroe went two picks earlier than Gabriel to the Seattle Seahawks.
A six-year participant in school who made 63 begins throughout stops at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, Gabriel completed his profession tied with Case Keenum for probably the most passing touchdowns (155) in FBS historical past and second within the FBS with 18,722 passing yards and 19,931 complete yards.
This previous season, Gabriel was named Huge Ten Offensive Participant of the Yr and a third-team All-American as he led the Geese to a convention championship.
“I have been taking part in quarterback from a younger age and have stepped into top-tier applications that demand success,” Gabriel mentioned Friday evening. “So, I am constructed for this. I am prepared for this. It is the brand new problem. And though there’s unknown and this can be a primary time for me when it comes to being within the NFL, I feel simply my capacity to adapt in school and be round a workforce and totally different groups in that manner, it permits you to adapt rapidly and know naturally whenever you stroll right into a constructing, you bought to be ready.”
The Browns finally selected the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Gabriel over Sanders, whose stunning slide continued via Day 2 of the draft.
Browns common supervisor Andrew Berry mentioned Cleveland spent intensive time with Gabriel through the predraft course of.
“Introduced [Gabriel] in proper after the mix, did the personal go to and exercises out in Eugene,” Berry mentioned. “Adorned school profession, very correct, very poised, throws with mobility. We simply thought he had a very well-rounded recreation; the largest detrimental that you simply say about him is he would not have best top, however that is not one thing that we felt like confirmed up in his recreation.”
When requested in regards to the slide of Sanders, Berry mentioned it was “unfair” for him to talk for the remainder of the league.
“The time that we spent with Shedeur and what he is achieved all through his school profession is spectacular,” Berry mentioned. “He is a powerful younger man. He is a very good quarterback.
“I might additionally say this: There are 4 extra rounds within the draft. After which perhaps lastly is, it is much less about the place you get picked and [more about] what you do after you get picked. That is crucial factor.”
The number of Gabriel marks the primary time the Browns have chosen a quarterback within the draft since they took Dorian Thompson-Robinson within the fifth spherical in 2023. The Browns this offseason traded Thompson-Robinson to the Philadelphia Eagles for Kenny Pickett.
The choice comes at an inflection level for the franchise, three years after it traded three first-round picks for Deshaun Watson and signed him to a totally assured $230 million contract. Final month, proprietor Jimmy Haslam labeled the commerce for Watson, who has been one of many league’s worst quarterbacks since arriving in Cleveland, a “massive swing-and-miss.” Watson is anticipated to overlook a good portion of the 2025 season after retearing his proper Achilles tendon.
Coach Kevin Stefanski mentioned earlier within the week that each participant within the quarterback room would compete to be the starter. The Browns additionally signed Joe Flacco in free company.
Because the franchise returned to Cleveland in 1999, quarterback stability has escaped the Browns. Forty totally different quarterbacks have began for the workforce throughout that point, 10 greater than the closest workforce. Gabriel might develop into the forty first sooner or later this fall.
“I feel for me, my particular expectation is simply creating worth and creating affect, and that is wherever I have been,” he mentioned. “I solely know how you can be a starter, however I additionally know {that a} wholesome quarterback room is essential, and having the ability to compete day in and day trip is of course what occurs and a part of what we do. However I stay up for no matter I stroll into and having the ability to get across the guys and like I mentioned, create an affect, create worth in each manner I can.”
