Analyst Delivers Harsh Verdict On Cleveland’s Dillon Gabriel Amid Rookie QB Battle With Shedeur Sanders

The Cleveland Browns have started to give more first-team reps to former Oregon signal caller Dillon Gabriel, who was picked in the third round in the 2025 NFL draft. With Kenny Pickett out for the time being with a hamstring injury, NFL analyst Daryl Ruiter took issue with how the Browns are handling this quarterback room during training camp.

The Browns QB room also features veteran Joe Flacco, injured Deshaun Watson and fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders. However, the way the Browns are giving first-team rotations to only Gabriel suggests that the Oregon standout could start for them in the 2025 season.

Joining Ken Carman and Anthony Lima on 92.3 The Fan, Ruiter delivered a harsh verdict for Gabriel.

📞”He’s not an NFL QB. It’s not a height thing. He’s rolling out and can’t hit guys wide open. He’s not that good in the warmup periods.”

🚨 @RuiterWrongFAN on @KenCarmanShow doubles down on his comments about Dillon Gabriel from this weekend.

🔊: https://t.co/7OXqXVa4Zl pic.twitter.com/Q8iNFhcSoX

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 4, 2025

“He’s not good. He’s not an NFL quarterback, not right now,” Ruiter said. “And the fact that they keep running him out there for first-team reps, part of that, I get, because Kenny Pickett’s banged up with a hamstring injury, so there’s not a lot he can do.

“But this goes back. They’ve been putting him out there first with the 11-on-11s going back to the offseason program. They’re cramming this guy down our throats, and it’s not good. It’s not a height thing. It’s not personal. I mean, he’s rolling out, and he can’t hit guys who are wide open. He is not all that great at times during the warm-up periods. He’s pretty good during seven-on-seven, when there’s no offensive or defensive lines, but he’s just not a good quarterback.”

Daryl Ruiter don’t think Dillon Gabriel has “no business to start” for the Browns this season

Daryl Ruiter believes that while Dillon Gabriel can maybe someday develop into an established quarterback but in the current season, he has no business starting an NFL game for the Browns, being a third-round pick.

“They’re putting him in a bad spot,” Ruiter said. “You’re forcing me to evaluate this kid like he’s a first-round pick—he’s not. He’s a 3rd-round pick. It’s clear that you’re trying to prepare him to play this year, and I think that it is a grave mistake. He’s not ready for it.

“They’re putting him in a bad spot. You’re forcing me to evaluate this kid like he’s a 1st-round pick. He’s a 3rd-round pick. It’s clear that you’re trying to prepare him to play”

🚨@RuiterWrongFAN to @NickPedone12 on #Browns QB Dillon Gabriel

🔊Listen: https://t.co/9LTb8vvum0 pic.twitter.com/9RQJf8Cxfu

— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) August 3, 2025

Ruiter’s harsh take is consistent with Gabriel’s performance during the training camp. As noted by Browns Nation, Gabriel could only complete 3 of 14 passes on Day 8 of training camp. Despite the visible struggles, fans and analysts are surprised that the Browns continue to hand him the ball for the first team reps ahead of veteran Joe Flacco, who has won a Super Bowl MVP.

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