BEREA, Ohio — Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel have one more day to impress the coaches in Browns rookie minicamp on Sunday, a session that’s closed to the media, before joining veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco in the four-way quarterback competition on Monday in the voluntary offseason program.
The moment wasn’t too big for either of the rookie quarterbacks, either on or off the field, and both look ready to join the veterans in what promises to be a spirited competition this spring and summer. Deshaun Watson will also be around as he continues to rehab from his retorn Achilles.
Both Sanders and Gabriel performed well on the field, completing most of their passes even though they were throwing primarily to undrafted rookies and tryout players. They both picked up the scheme well and made adjustments over the two-day period. They exhibited good arm strength, sound decision-making, good footwork on their dropbacks, and sleight of hand on play-action. Gabriel, their third-round pick out of Oregon, went first in team drills, 7-on-7s and red zone drills the first two days, and will remain ahead of Sanders, their fifth-round pick, as they move into to offseason workouts and organized team activities.
Gabriel will likely go second after Pickett based on his fairly high draft status, but the Browns can keep that under wraps for a few more weeks. The workouts won’t be open to the media until May 28.
“All these guys are taking coaching,” Stefanski said. “I think that’s such a big part of this, and we’ve talked about it a little bit the last few weeks is no one’s a finished product. So, we’re trying to do everything in our power to develop these young men into players. It’s a process. It takes time. So, I like the attitude of these rookies where they understand there’s work to be put in. I know everybody kind of slept pretty well last night, which is good, and then we’ll get another good day tomorrow. But they’re really – they’re taking coaching, which I appreciate.”
Does Stefanski have reason to believe after this camp that the two will hold their own against Pickett, a fourth-year pro, and Flacco, an 18th-year pro?
“Yeah, not so much worried about how they stack up, per se, but excited to have them around Deshaun, Joe, Kenny,” Stefanski said. “Welcome them into the quarterback room and understand that’s a place where we work really hard, we talk about a ton of football, high level football, and I think they’ll fit in really well.”
Sanders and Gabriel, no strangers to media attention, also aced their podium interviews on Saturday, and know that everything is being evaluated.
“You guys are getting to know these young players, quarterbacks, this whole rookie class,” Stefanski said. “These are some impressive young men. They’re really good on the field, they’re really good off the field. But a part of talking with you guys is talking to our fans. We want them to get a feel for who these young men are and I think the more they get to know them, they’ll understand these guys really want to work hard at this thing. It’s their craft. It’s now, as I’ve told them, it’s now their job.”
Sanders, Gabriel and Quinshon Judkins will also participate in the NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere Wednesday through Saturday in Los Angeles, which helps players maximize their branding and marketing opportunities.
**Mason Graham throws up during practice**
------------------------------------------
Like Dawand Jones before him, Browns No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham lost his cookies on Day 2 of rookie minicamp. Or to hear Stefanski tell it, chicken wings.
During an early 11-on-11 drill, Graham threw up, and had to run off the field. Soon, he was rinsing out his helmet with a squeeze water bottle, and getting back after it in individual drills with position coach Jacques Cesaire.
“I think he ate too much,” Stefanski said. “I think the cooking in the kitchen was too good. So, a few less wings next time.”
Stefanski also noted that Graham, the defensive tackle out of Michigan, had some amends to make.
“He also apologized to the offensive line because they were real close to it and almost standing in it,” he sad. “But he’s fine, he’s got the right mentality.”
Graham displayed the traits that led the Browns to traded down from No. 2 to No. 5 with the Jaguars to draft him this camp, including violent and explosive hands, and good burst off the line.
**Carson Schwesinger’s interception**
-------------------------------------
No. 33 overall pick Carson Schwesinger, the linebacker out of UCLA, jumped receiver Kisean Jackson’s route and picked off a pass in the middle of the end zone in red zone drills. He ran it back the length of the practice field and then got a high chest bump from a fellow linebacker.
“Yeah, did a great job,” Stefanski said. “You talk about his intelligence and things happen so fast down there in the red zone. So, the ability to process quickly is really important and made a great play on the ball.”
Schwesinger, whose strength is his coverage ability, will be called on to start in place of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah until he makes it back from his serious neck injury, which may or may not be this season. Schwesinger also said this week he plans to pick Owusu-Koramoah’s brains when he meets him during the offseason program.
**Deshaun Watson out of his boot and still here rehabbing**
-----------------------------------------------------------
Watson has been rehabbing at the Browns facility since he underwent surgery to repair his retorn Achilles on Jan. 10, and will remain here throughout the season. The Browns expect him to miss a significant portion of the season, but he’s out of his walking boot and determined to come back strong.
“He’s working really hard,” Stefanski said. “Doing a nice job in his rehab. Doing a great job in the meeting room as well.”
Watson, who received vocal support from Deion Sanders when fans booed him while he down on the field with the retorn Achilles, will likely be a big help to the rookies as they learn the system.
**Football Insider newsletter free trial:** Take a minute and [sign up for a free trial](https://link.cleveland.com/join/6fe/newsletter-football-insider-sign-up-emailform) of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com's Browns reporters.