Browns' Gabriel ready to compete for starting QB

Dillon Gabriel isn't nervous about competing for the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback position.

"A healthy quarterback room is important and being able to compete day in and day out is naturally what happens and part of what we do," Gabriel told team writer Kelsey Russo on Friday. "But I look forward to whatever I walk into and being able to get around the guys and like I said, creating impact, create value in anything and in every way I can."

Gabriel was selected 94th overall by the Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Oregon product was Cleveland's fifth pick of the night and the fifth passer taken in the draft.

The Browns have three additional passers on their roster: Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, and veteran Joe Flacco. Watson will likely miss most of the 2025 campaign after re-rupturing his Achilles in January. The Browns have had 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999, the most in the league.

Despite the quarterback competition, Gabriel is eager to learn from Flacco. The veteran is entering his 18th NFL season and his second stint with the Browns.

"I think it's a unique situation and having a guy like him that has a lot of knowledge and has played a lot of ball, he's seen what works and what doesn't," Gabriel said. "And I think, just being able to be a sponge and be around him will definitely benefit me."

Gabriel led Oregon to a 13-1 record in 2024, throwing for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns. The 24-year-old is ranked second all time in career passing yards after playing six seasons in college.

"We really felt strongly about Dillon throughout this process," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Friday, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "He's a really strong, really, really good prospect. That's not to say that we didn't meet with other quarterbacks that we thought were really talented players and good people, but we felt strong about Dillon and felt he was the best quarterback to pick."

The NFL draft continues at noon ET Saturday.