The Cleveland Browns stunned the NFL by selecting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 draft. The pick is a surprise, as most scouts had projected him as a Day 3 choice and left him unselected before his name was called at No. 94. General manager Andrew Berry expressed confidence in Gabriel’s abilities, stating that he believes the Oregon quarterback is “a really strong, really good prospect.”
Gabriel will join a young quarterback corps with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Gabriel as the top three signal-callers. With Deshaun Watson potentially missing the upcoming season due to injury, the team does not have a clear-cut starter. Berry noted that experience will be crucial for Gabriel’s development, citing his extensive collegiate record, including 8,037 passing yards and 70 touchdowns at UCF and 6,828 yards and 55 touchdowns at Oklahoma.
Gabriel led Oregon to a 13-0 record, a Big Ten title, and an appearance in the Rose Bowl. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and is considered a capable passer and runner despite his 5-foot-11 height. Berry believes Gabriel has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Russell Wilson, who won his job out of camp and became a star with the Seahawks. However, more realistically, Gabriel will likely learn from experience behind veteran signal-callers.
Source: https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-browns-select-oregon-qb-dillon-gabriel-with-no-94-overall-pick