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Dillon Gabriel
QB · CLE

Dillon Gabriel

Position QB
Team CLE
Bye Week —
PPR Rank —

Dillon Gabriel

NFL quarterback. Position: QB. Team: CLE.

Quick Facts

  • Position: Quarterback (QB)
  • Team: CLE (Cleveland Browns)
  • Age: 25 years old
  • Drafted: 2025 NFL Draft, 3rd round (76th overall)
  • College: Oregon

2026 Outlook

Dillon Gabriel is the league's most disrespected backup QB, a former NFL scout argued in June, despite a respectable 2025 rookie season. In 6 starts, Gabriel threw for 937 yards with 7 TDs and just 2 INTs—an elite turnover-to-volume ratio—completing 59.5% of passes. The Browns went 1-5 in those starts, but that reflects offensive struggles rather than Gabriel's play. His bigger issue is opportunity: stuck behind Deshaun Watson and developmental prospect Shedeur Sanders, Gabriel lacks the offensive weapons or media narrative buzz of higher-ranked backups. At 5'11", Gabriel projects as a game-manager QB with lower ceiling but solid floor. His low-turnover profile and experience under center (35 collegiate starts at Oregon) make him a reliable insurance policy, but the path to a starting role remains unclear. (per Former NFL Scout Says One Browns Player Is Among Most Disrespected)

As training camp approaches, Gabriel competes with Watson and Sanders for meaningful reps, though the primary battle centers on Watson vs. Sanders. Gabriel's role in training camp will determine whether he retains QB2 status or slides to QB3 behind whichever of the two veterans emerges as the starter. His low-turnover profile (7 TDs, 2 INTs in 6 rookie starts) provides organizational insurance if either Watson or Sanders is injured during the season, making Gabriel's development and prepared status critical to long-term roster depth planning (per NFL executives, coaches put Shedeur Sanders last in QB rankings in survey: 'Shouldn't lose to him').

August 27 backup evaluation: After Watson was named the official starter, some around the NFL expressed the view that 3rd-round pick Gabriel may be a better backup fit than Sanders, citing Gabriel's work ethic and ability to function on short notice. Concerns about Sanders' off-field "celebrity and distraction components" relative to his status as a backup quarterback have caused some teams to view Gabriel more favorably. While the Browns have committed to Sanders as the backup QB, Gabriel's reliability and low-turnover profile represent real organizational value should Watson encounter injury (per What's next for Shedeur Sanders? NFL sources question whether Browns QB has a starting future - CBS Sports).

August 27 preseason finale start: Todd Monken named Gabriel the Browns' starter for the final preseason game vs. New England, giving him extended reps after limited looks in the first two games. Watson and Sanders both sit; Taylen Green follows Gabriel. Monken wants a clearer read on Gabriel as the third-string option behind the Watson/Sanders duo (per Who are the starting quarterbacks for Browns vs Patriots tonight in 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3?).

August 28 preseason Week 3 game: Gabriel executed the Browns' offense effectively vs. New England, going 12-for-15 for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, then gave way to sixth-round rookie Taylen Green. Gabriel's impressive half showcased his reliability and low-turnover profile as the backup QB, demonstrating continued value as organizational insurance behind Deshaun Watson. (per Taylen Green makes NFL preseason debut)

Aug 30 roster cut decision — Gabriel's future uncertain: As the Browns faced cutdown day decisions, HC Todd Monken expressed ambivalence about keeping both Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green on the 53-man roster. Monken stated the decision was "somewhat" settled, signaling continued uncertainty about which prospect to retain. Gabriel's strong preseason finale (12-for-15, 3 TDs vs. New England) positioned him favorably, but the organizational preference for Williams' veteran presence as QB2 (over Sanders as backup) left limited roster flexibility. Gabriel's fate hinged on organizational risk tolerance: keeping all four QBs (Watson, Sanders, Gabriel, Green) would require moving them to practice squad within days, mirroring prior-year patterns. (per Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 8/30/26: Somewhat Wrestling)

Role / Depth Chart

Backup QB behind Deshaun Watson (with Shedeur Sanders also in competition).

Injury Status

Healthy.

Recent News

Open Questions

Sources

Coaches shaping Dillon's role

Todd MonkenHead CoachTravis SwitzerOffensive CoordinatorDanny BreyerPass Game CoordinatorEphraim BandaPass Game CoordinatorBobby JohnsonAssistant Offensive LineGeorge WarhopOffensive LineMatt BakerAssistant QuarterbacksMike BajakianQuarterbacksSanders DavisOffensive Assistant/Offensive Line

What the Experts Are Saying

Sal VetriYou're Drafting The Wrong Rookies (Take These 5 Instead)
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