Browns predicted to shake up QB room, NCAA all-time TD leader drops after rookie's stellar debut
The Cleveland Browns are in a bind when it comes to their quarterback room. The team is trying to figure out exactly how to put the right guys in the right places on the depth chart. During the draft, the Browns chose Dillon Gabriel instead of Shedeur Sanders, prompting GM Andrew Berry to explain that decision.
“What he has done throughout his college career is impressive. He’s a really good quarterback and an impressive young man. Sometimes fit comes into play, and there are still four more rounds in the draft. It’s less about where you get picked and more about what you do after you get picked. He’s going to find himself in a really good spot,” Berry said.
Heading into the summer and eventually training camp, it pretty much solidified that Gabriel was going to be looked at more highly. It’s become evident, though, that Sanders has been throwing to the equipment staff.
Gabriel was set to play in his first preseason game against the Panthers, but a hamstring injury held him out.
“Stefanski said that Gabriel and Pickett will participate in 7-on-7's in Wednesday's joint practice. However, the status for both quarterbacks for next week's preseason game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles is uncertain,” SI’s Bri Amaranthus wrote.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin recently made a new prediction for Gabriel, suggesting Sanders has taken over his spot as second string.
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“The Browns invested two draft picks in quarterbacks this year: a third-rounder on Gabriel and a fifth-rounder on Sanders. That means we'd expect them to prioritize both of those rookies over Pickett, if the competition is tight. But there's no ability like availability, and Gabriel also missed the preseason opener due to injury. Cleveland may like his short-area accuracy, but if Sanders keeps it up this preseason, he may well lock up the No. 2 job behind Flacco to start the year,” Benjamin wrote. “Prediction: Opens 2025 season as Browns' No. 3 quarterback.”
This isn’t great news for Gabriel, who before the injury seemed poised to back up Flacco. Now, Sanders has shown exactly what he is capable of. If Gabriel doesn’t return from injury to prove himself, he won’t have any chance to reclaim his second-string spot.