With four quarterbacks battling for one job, the Cleveland Browns' training camp is already heating up. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are making compelling cases, but for Dillon Gabriel, the latest developments suggest the road to QB1 just got even steeper.

ESPN NFL insider Daniel Oyefusi believes the Browns' quarterback picture is becoming clearer. Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson have received most of the reps, while sixth-round rookie Taylen Green is viewed as a long-term developmental prospect.

However, the same cannot be said for Dillon Gabriel. While he has received some reps, they haven't been enough to strengthen either his case or the team's confidence in him. The analyst noted that one quarterback is likely to be cut.

“Like last season, a trade to bring the quarterback room to three entering the regular season seems to be a likely outcome,” wrote ESPN NFL insider Daniel Oyefusi on July 23.

While Oyefusi never explicitly mentioned who it would be, all the clues point to Gabriel. The late third-round pick was a favorite of former head coach Kevin Stefanski. However, much has changed since last season.

The Browns fired Stefanski and hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach, who liked Sanders as a prospect during last year’s draft, and Watson has made a serious comeback.

On top of that, last season, Gabriel averaged just 5.7 air yards per attempt, the lowest among the 38 quarterbacks who made at least six starts last year.

While no one within the Browns has mentioned him directly, it appears the team is sidelining him to some extent. However, Andrew Berry doesn't see it that way.

"He may be forgotten externally, but he's not forgotten to us," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in February, per ESPN. "[He's] going to handle everything within his control … Dillon's a guy that has a bright future in this league."

That said, if a trade were to happen, would Gabriel be picked up by another team? Well, analysts believe there would be a line.

Why other teams should pursue Gabriel

In his rookie campaign with the Browns, Gabriel played in 10 games, throwing for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions, and posting a 31.4 QBR.

Those numbers were average, but his game still needs significant polishing; despite that his getting him cheap would be a steal for many teams.

“Other teams should kick the tires on acquiring him on the cheap. To be clear, Gabriel is what he is—he doesn't have elite arm talent. But he's an intelligent player who didn't make a ton of mistakes last year, throwing seven touchdowns against just two picks,” wrote Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport on July 22.

He is not viewed as a top starting quarterback; however, his value lies as a reliable backup.

“He profiles better as a long-term NFL backup than as a full-time starter, and he has the potential to fill that role for a long time. That would have value to more than a few NFL teams,” wrote Davenport.

With backup quarterback spots still unsettled across the league, Gabriel could capitalize if teams decide their current options simply aren't good enough.

Do you think the Browns should keep Gabriel on the roster?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi