Browns’ Rookie QB Experiment Hits Major Snag at Training Camp

Early Camp Woes Confirm Browns’ Worst Fears About Rookie QB

It’s not panic time yet for the Cleveland Browns, but concern is definitely brewing. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick from Oregon by way of Oklahoma and UCF, was always going to face questions entering the NFL. But just a few practices into training camp, those questions are getting louder and harder to ignore.

Gabriel’s college resume is impressive, but so are the red flags. At just 5-foot-11, he’s well below the prototypical height NFL scouts prefer for pocket passers. Yes, stars like Drew Brees and Kyler Murray have broken the mold, but they’re exceptions, not the rule. Most NFL teams want their quarterbacks standing between 6’2″ and 6’6″ and there’s a reason for that.

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During a recent Browns practice, veteran defensive lineman Shelby Harris effortlessly swatted one of Gabriel’s passes at the line of scrimmage, underscoring the exact issue critics feared. You can’t coach height and you can’t throw over NFL linemen if you can’t see over them.

But it’s not just size. Gabriel also enters the league older than most rookies, has a history of injuries, and throws left-handed, a trait that can complicate playbook schemes designed for right-handed passers.

To make matters worse for Gabriel, Joe Flacco, the 6-foot-6 veteran is turning heads and is widely expected to start Week 1. If that happens, Gabriel’s best-case scenario may be clipboard duty.

None of this means Gabriel can’t find a role in the league. He’s smart, accurate, and ultra-competitive. But if the early days of training camp are any indication, the Browns’ rookie QB experiment may already be hitting a wall.

Can Gabriel prove the doubters wrong, or are we already seeing his ceiling?

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