Unexpected Surprises in Browns' Draft Picks: Gabriel and Sanders Embrace the Challenge
In an unforeseen twist at the NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns chose quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round, a move that left many surprised given his expectations as a Day 3 pick. However, the true astonishment came when the Browns picked Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, halting his unexpected slide.
Amid the buzz both within and beyond Cleveland, Gabriel expressed his enthusiasm about adding Sanders to what is already a competitive quarterback group.
“I’m thrilled,” Gabriel mentioned on Saturday during the Browns’ second rookie minicamp session. “I’m excited because of who he is. I think it’s a chance for both of us to learn from each other. Right now, it’s just us two in the room, but come the season, we’ve got guys like Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, and Deshaun Watson as mentors with tons of experience. We can all gain invaluable insights from each other.”
On the other hand, Sanders remarked that his concentration isn’t on proving doubters wrong after his unexpected draft slide.
“It’s me against myself,” he reflected. “I can’t influence any other choice but my own. So I strive to be my best self at all times. My mission here isn’t to prove others wrong but to confirm my own potential.”
During the initial day of rookie minicamp, both Sanders and Gabriel evenly shared practice snaps, with Gabriel launching into the first few team drill plays. Nonetheless, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that the order of practice wasn’t significant, stressing that the minicamp serves as both competition and an instructional period. He elaborated that the quarterback evaluation process over the coming months would be “all-inclusive.”
Gabriel emphasized the importance of approaching each practice with a starting quarterback mentality. “I’ve only learned one way to prepare,” he explained. “I work as if I’m the starter. I’ve played a lot and bring ample experience, so I’ll use that to my benefit. Every day I approach like I’m determined to earn that rep, and I live by this mindset.”