The Cleveland Browns' hopes for this season might not be incredibly high.
But if they want to reach whatever their ceiling is, they likely need to have a good backup quarterback. Joe Flacco starts Week 1, but at 40 years old, there's no telling how much Flacco has left in the tank from an ability or health standpoint.
Behind Flacco, the Browns have just two rookies: Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
Cleveland spent the entire summer giving Gabriel a higher spot on the depth chart than Sanders, and it'll be the lefty who starred at Oregon who is the backup to Flacco to begin the season.
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Why is Dillon Gabriel QB2 over Shedeur Sanders?
Gabriel was chosen 50 picks before Sanders in the NFL Draft, at No. 94 in the third round compared to 144 in the fifth round.
On Thursday before the Week 1 opener against the Bengals, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees provided more insight into Gabriel.
This is a Rees quote via video from Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot:
"When he's had his opportunity in the preseason, we've seen him operate efficiently in the offense. Dillon has put the work in. He's been thrown in there in different settings with different reps with different opportunities against good competition. We'll continue to build those opportunities as the season goes on and continue to develop him and get him up to speed. There's a poise there that does give us confidence."
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Dillon Gabriel college stats, records
Dillon Gabriel played a long college career, from UCF to Oklahoma to Oregon.
In the process, he put up astounding numbers.
Gabriel is responsible for the most touchdowns in FBS history, with 179, breaking Case Keenum's record.
He had 146 passing TDs, 32 rushing TDs and one receiving score.
Gabriel's passing yards and total yards both rank second in FBS history, behind just Keenum.
He had an absurd 18,722 passing yards as a collegiate player.
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