The Cleveland Browns took Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which was a bit of a surprise.
Gabriel was projected to be selected later on, but the Browns saw something in him to take him early. Currently, Gabriel is the backup quarterback, but former coach Herm Edwards compares the rookie to Browns legendary quarterback Brian Sipe.
“Not saying you can’t win, but if you don’t. Now you are 0-3, and you have to look at your offense. You are going to start thinking about it,” Edwards said on ESPN Cleveland. “You are right about Gabriel. When I watched him in the preseason, he got the ball out now. He’s accurate, he got the ball out, he’s a rhythm thrower. I said this guys, when they drafted this guy, you guys know him in Cleveland, he reminds me of Brian Sipe.”
It’s an interesting take from Edwards, as if Gabriel can come close to Sipe’s career, it would be a successful one, and one that many Browns fans would take in a heartbeat.
Sipe won the NFL MVP in 1980 and is considered to be one of the best Browns’ quarterbacks of all time. He finished his career throwing for 3,439 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 149 interceptions. He’s also a one-time Pro Bowler, one-time first-team All-Pro, and led the NFL in passing touchdowns in 1979.
The Browns honored him as a legend in 2002.
Browns Coach Was Impressed With Gabriel
Cleveland took Gabriel in the third round, which was a bit of a surprise.
However, the former Oregon Ducks quarterback impressed in training camp and won the backup job. After he was named the backup, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski praised the rookie quarterback.
After being named the backup, Stefanski says Gabriel “continues to get better and better” which earned him the job.
Although Stefanski has been impressed with Gabriel, he remains the backup quarterback as the coach has no plans to replace Joe Flacco.
“I don’t think it’s fair to talk about that now,” Stefanski said. “We win as a team, we lose as a team.”
Gabriel did get into his first NFL action in Week 2, replacing Flacco. He went 3-for-3 for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Cleveland GM Explains Decision to Pick Gabriel
The Browns picked Gabriel in the third round, which was a surprise.
However, after the draft, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry explained the decision behind the pick.
“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),” Berry said. “Decorated college career, very accurate, very poised, throws with anticipation, good mobility. We just thought he had a really well-rounded game.”
Berry said they weren’t scared off by Gabriel’s height, as they believe he has proven he can be an effective quarterback throughout his career.
“[His height] hasn’t held him back in his career,” said Berry. “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.”
Gabriel was selected 94th overall.
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