Taking the rare step of drafting multiple quarterbacks in the same class, the Browns are in the latter stages of one of the more unusual competitions at the position in modern NFL history. As it stands, Joe Flacco is leading the way.
Even that is rather interesting, seeing as the former Super Bowl MVP is 40 and has not started a season opener as a non-injury fill-in (as he was with the 2022 Jets) since beginning the 2019 season as the Broncos’ starter. Flacco is on track to join Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Vinny Testaverde (Cowboys), Warren Moon (Seahawks), Johnny Unitas (Chargers) and Charlie Conerly (Giants) as QBs to open a season as a starting quarterback at 40 or older. Flacco’s age certainly points to his starter stint not lasting too long, shifting focus to the team’s two rookies.
Both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders‘ rookie contracts run through 2028. The Browns are likely to have both players on their depth chart, barring an IR stay for one of them, behind Flacco to open the season. Gabriel’s future as a backup has also become a talking point, because teams were certainly surprised the Browns traded up for Sanders two rounds after selecting Gabriel. To that point, SI.com’s Albert Breer confirms a report from The Athletic’s Michael Silver that stated the Browns received trade offers for Gabriel soon after trading up for Sanders.
Although post-pick trades can happen in the NFL — as the famous Eli Manning–Philip Rivers swap revealed 21 years ago — those sequences are traditionally confined to the NBA draft. The Browns have rebuffed QB trade inquiries at multiple stops this offseason, as reports in May and June indicated Cleveland was standing pat with its passer room. Those inquiries will likely resurface soon, with this month profiling as a trade window due to the roster crunch that comes each year as teams frantically go from 90 to 53 players.
The Gabriel interest came about from the six-year college QB impressing teams during pre-draft interviews, Breer adds; clubs saw the former Oregon, Central Florida and Oklahoma passer’s floor as that of a long-term backup. It would be interesting to learn what draft capital the Gabriel trade offers featured. Teams clearly saw more in Gabriel, with most draft observers viewing the undersized option as being overdrafted at No. 94. His pre-draft profile differs starkly from Sanders’. The latter entered the process with steady first-round buzz saw his stock crater thanks to a strange interview approach that alienated many teams.
Sanders and Gabriel have each missed time due to injury in training camp. Gabriel has returned to team drills after a hamstring issue sidelined him during Cleveland’s preseason opener, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes, but the Browns announced Sanders suffered an oblique injury Wednesday and missed the rest of a joint practice with the Eagles. It is an oblique strain for Sanders, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot notes. He is not expected to play in the Browns’ second preseason contest.
Sanders impressed when given a preseason start, thanks to the team resting Flacco and not having Gabriel or Kenny Pickett available, but his next chance to play will come in the Browns’ preseason finale next week. Pickett has not returned to 11-on-11 work, The Athletic’s Zac Jackson adds, noting Flacco remains in the driver’s seat to start in Week 1.
Pickett has thrown seven-on-seven reps since his injury, however. Gabriel’s return could point him to a start in Philly, per Jackson, who adds Sanders has generally outplayed his 5-foot-11 teammate during camp. The Browns, though, drafted Gabriel first. How these two coexist amid a situation that could remain awkward into the season will be interesting, as Flacco making it through 17 games as the starter will be unlikely.
Imagine being paid to be an NFL evaluator, and after decades upon decades of proof that nobody has any idea the floors or ceilings of these players, claiming that a mid round quarterbacks FLOOR is a long term backup.
There’s guys taken in the top 5 that aren’t long term backups, but somehow these morons know that Gabriel is poised to be useful in that role before he ever plays a snap?
Gabriel’s floor is out of the league in a few years without playing, because that’s literally every rookie QBs floor.
technically everyone’s floor is out-of-league bum. The ceiling/floor range is more so a 90% likelihood of the range of potential outcomes. Some guys will not reach their floors, or blow beyond the ceilings assigned to them by the consensus. This is not an exact science…
in round 3 you will hope to get a backup QB. That would be considered a good pick.
Correct, which is why it makes no sense to say thats his floor. Just moronic.
Or you could just assume by floor they mean high probability floor and that everyone knows everyone’s floor is getting hit by a bus and killed.
Yeah I know what they mean by floor, but he’s a 3rd round pick. His floor is not a high level backup. That’s more likely a best case scenario. The most likely result for a third round QB is he’s out of the league in 5 years. It’s more than 50%.
It’s probably because they think he has a first round brain, but is physically a 6th rounder. Smart enough to keep you competitive for a couple games, but you won’t rely on him as a starter for long.
5 years is a long term backup
Short term in NFL is like 1-2 seasons
“That’s more likely a best case scenario.”
But in this reality that you’re discussing, this wouldn’t be his ceiling, so that kind of counters the point you’re making. His ceiling would be Hall of Fame QB because that outcome is the extreme top within the range of potential outcomes. If it were analyzed this way, every prospect’s floor would be total bust, while their ceiling would be greatest player of all time.
I get your point, though, and I do agree that high level floors are wild comps are assigned to mid level prospects way too frequently.
I disagree to a degree. Sure, if we go into extremes we can say that everyone has that possibility, just like I could win the lottery or get struck my a meteor.
It’s really a matter of standard deviation at this point. QBs with the intelligence and short-passing skills he has very seldomly bust. But his physical limitations make it unlikely he become a long term starter.
It’s like the difference between Russell Wilson and Anthony Richardson. A guy like Wilson was unlikely to have the physical traits necessary to succeed in the NFL, but was smart enough to likely survive as a long term backup. As we now know, he turned it into a long-term, potentially HoF career. Richardson has every physical skill you’d look for in a HoF QB, but needs a ton of refinement. If Richardson busts, he likely won’t be a viable backup.
Just an interesting topic when viewed from how NFL talent evaluators see the different skill sets.
Christian Ponder was incredibly intelligent and accurate in short distances. He was a bust. And that’s just the first person that popped in my head as I read your comment.
There’s no point in arguing. His floor is not a high level backup. It’s possible, but it is not likely. I don’t know why that’s so hard for people to understand, but I guess it’s to be expected from Browns fans.
Actually, Ponder’s decision making was one of his red flags coming out of college. Try doing a spot of research before replying.
Just having a friendly debate. Not sure why people assume I’m a fan of every team I discuss.
It’s the Browns. The floor will probably give out and there will be a level even further down
Jimmy Haslam: “Quick!…everyone grab your survival kit and run to the basement”.
“He is not expected to play in the Browns’ season preseason contest.”
LOL WUT?! Superior editing. 👍
Saw that too. Assuming it means next preseason contest
I figured it was meant to be “second preseason contest.”
That could be true, but that’s not what I remember reading. In fact, I remember reading the opposite, but hey, I’ve been wrong many a time. Sanders had a good performance in the preseason, which Gabriel has yet to match. Granted, it’s preseason, but it’s better than practice by my count. We’ll see where they end up by the start of the year…if any of them can stay healthy.
Certainly didn’t hurt to draft 2 QB’S and both will play this year. Flacco hasn’t started 17 games in quite awhile and with Pickett out, could get interesting…..having Huntley in camp as well … Browns are just covering their bases…..
Nah it was definitely a wasted pick to take 2 QBs back 2 back
Especially Dillon Gabriel round 3 is insane. I wonder if anyone else was even considering him pre-roud 5 or 6 ?
That he went before Sanders and Ewers just underlines why the Browns are the Browns.
I don’t follow the Browns more than what I see here or on ESPN, but I believe this is the first time I’ve read Sanders had out preformed Gabriel. Anyone else hear that before?
I’m assume that line extends from Sanders’ preseason debut, which was more impressive than Gabriel’s by default since…well, Gabriel hasn’t had one yet.
I guess that makes sense lol
That’s been the buzz.
All off-season people said he was outperforming him, and then he stopped getting snaps.
1st time hearing that
If the Browns like Sanders better, they should trade Gabriel now and run with Flacco/Pickett this season and redo the competition next spring.
Sounds like a lie.
Gabriel was fun to watch in college. I saw him up close when he played for UCF, and he might*** be 5’10”. The guy is small…
5’10 in heels
Gabriel looks good and has a lively arm and a lot of confidence, he throws in tight coverage which could lead to turnovers or could be what you need to win big games but his size is concerning, you just don’t see a lot of successful QBs his size.