When the Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round, all signs pointed to the former Oregon superstar as the eventual heir apparent in Cleveland.
Then they took fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders, immediately casting doubt on Gabriel's future before even taking a snap in practice.
Needless to say, Cleveland Browns' QB room left everyone scratching their heads.
Now, with less than a week away from the start of the 2025 NFL season, 40-year old Joe Flacco has been penciled in as the starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett was shipped to Las Vegas, and Gabriel — not Sanders — is the backup.
Dillon Gabriel tabbed as ‘Surprise Starter’
While Gabriel shouldn't expect to start as QB2 for the Browns, there's a chance the grizzled veteran Flacco could go down with injury or be benched for poor play.
Because of that, Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar named the Oregon product a surprise eventual starter at some point during his rookie season.
"With the decision to trade Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders, Joe Flacco is the only veteran on the roster with credible starting cache, and that leaves third-round pick Dillon Gabriel as the potential sneaky starter down the road." Wrote Farrar.
"Gabriel got the most preseason dropbacks of any Browns quarterback, completing 25 of 37 passes for 272 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and a passer rating of 86.8. Especially against the Rams, Gabriel looked comfortable in the offense, went through his progressions, and threw on time and on target."
Farrar isn't the only NFL talking head predicting big things for Gabriel.
Though Draft experts were split on how Gabriel's prowess in Beaverton will translate, one major believer was Mel Kiper. ESPN's long-time draft guru ranked Gabriel eighth among QBs but did label him his favorite QB prospect.
If Gabriel wants to prove himself as the long-term answer to the Browns' persistent quarterback struggles, he will have to show he has what it takes any opportunity he gets this upcoming season.