After the Cleveland Browns selected two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, there is still no answer about what the team will do at the game’s most crucial position.
With veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco leading the way, where does that leave rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders?
Cleveland Analyst Bashes Browns’ Decision To Select Oregon QB
Cleveland sports media worker Daryl Ruiter joined “92.3 The Fan,” where he visited “The Ken Carman Show w/ Anthony Lima,” to give his opinion on the Browns’ 5’11” third-round selection.
📞”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
When asked about Gabriel, Ruiter did not hold back, speaking bluntly about the Oregon product.
“He’s not good, he’s not an NFL quarterback, not right now,” said Ruiter. “The fact they keep running him out there for first-team reps. Part of it I get because Kenny Pickett’s banged up with a hamstring injury, so there’s not a lot he can do.”
Ruiter continued, “But this goes back. They have been putting him out there first with the 11-on-11 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 that are wide open.”
With Gabriel’s abilities in question, Ruiter continues to elaborate on the issues the six-year college quarterback has had since being drafted.
“He is not all that great at times during the warmup periods,” said Ruiter. “He’s pretty good at 7-on-7 when there’s no offensive and defensive lines, but he’s just not a good quarterback.”
Ruiter continued, “He’s a third-round pick, and the problem that I have right now is that the Browns are forcing me to look at a third-round pick who has no business being in contention to start a football game this year. They’re forcing me to evaluate him like he is a first-round pick and like he is a starting quarterback in the NFL.”
With Gabriel and Sanders having successful collegiate careers, Ruiter sees each playing the same role in the NFL.
Ruiter Says Gabriel and Sanders Are ‘Developmental Players’
As Ruiter continued, he stated that what the Browns are doing is unfair to Gabriel, as the role may be unachievable.
“That’s not fair to Dillon,” said Ruiter. “You’re putting that kid in a really, really bad spot. Dillon Gabriel should be a developmental player, just like you have, as an organization, made the decision to have Shedeur Sanders be a developmental player.”
With Gabriel continuing to contest the QB1 position, Ruiter is appalled at the possibility of the first-year QB assuming the starting role.
“Giving him first-team reps on a consistent basis is ridiculous,” Ruiter explained. “He is not a starting quarterback, not yet. Maybe someday he’ll develop into Colt McCoy and be one of those guys that can bounce around the league and be a backup or whatever.”
“It’s just god awful when he’s on the field. It’s not good, and at times I feel like he brings the practice to a screeching halt when he’s doing the 11-on-11 cause the ball doesn’t move,” he concluded.
In 2024, Gabriel was a Heisman Trophy Finalist, finishing third behind just Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Ashton Jeanty (Boise State).
His impressive campaign ended with 3,857 passing yards, a TD-INT ratio of 30-6, and a Big 10 Championship title for the Ducks.
With his accolades in mind, can Gabriel perform at the next level, or is the Cleveland analyst correct in valuing the 24-year-old as a developmental player?
