Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel may be a rookie but the former Oregon standout is already earning respect in the Browns’ locker room for his dedication to his craft.
The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of the draft, a move that surprised many at the time. However, Cleveland grew confident in the pick after spending time with Gabriel and getting a closer look at his football IQ and intangibles.
“We spent a lot of time with Dillon throughout this process. Brought him in right after the combine, did obviously the private visit and workouts out in Eugene (Oregon),” Browns GM Andrew Berry said after making the pick. “Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with anticipation, good mobility. We just thought he had a really well-rounded game.”
Gabriel is battling for the starting quarterback job with Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders and Kenny Pickett. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Luke Floreia has grown close to Gabriel in the weeks leading up to training camp and said that Gabriel always has a playbook in his hand.
“Me and Dillon have gotten super close over these last couple weeks. He’s a ball guy through and through,” Floriea said on the “Honor The Land” show. “He loves football. You can tell how seriously he takes it. He’s never not studying the playbook.”
Luke Floreia Making Early Impression With Browns
Floreia has also made a name for himself early in Cleveland. The Kent State product got a shoutout from head coach Kevin Stefanski during rookie minicamp.
“He’s acquitted himself very nicely, knows what to do, gets open, catches the ball. He’s doing a nice job,” Stefanski said.
It’s unknown how much Gabriel will be passing to Floreia during camp. But if they’re on the field together, they should have some solid chemistry.
“That gives you confidence as a receiver because you know he’s going to go in there and put you in the right spot and put you where you need to be and not put you in harms way,” Floriea said.
Browns Not Worried About Dillon Gabriel’s Height
One of the main concerns surrounding Gabriel is his height. At just 5-foot-11, he doesn’t fit the mold of a prototypical NFL quarterback. Still, the Browns are confident he has the tools to overcome that perceived limitation.
“[His height] hasn’t held him back in his career,” Berry said. “You know, he’s been that height for a long time. He finds a way to get it done … There’s quarterbacks, different shapes and sizes.
You have to feel the pocket, you have to find throwing lanes, you have to change arm angles. All that comes innately, I think, to players based on how they’ve kind of played the game their whole life.”
Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot said Gabriel’s “superpower” is his mind, which has impressed his new team so far.
“His superpower in the competition is his computer-like processing speed and decision-making, and it’s where he can get a leg up in the competition. During spring practices, including rookie minicamp, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, Gabriel looked solid and held his own, but he can really make his move in camp during joint practices against the Panthers and Eagles, and the preseason games,” Cabot said. “That’s when Gabriel, who started an FBS-high 63 games in college for three different schools, will have a chance to show off his well-rounded game and smooth operation.”
Gabriel and the other rookies will report for camp on Friday. The veterans are set to join on July 22.
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