OBR Insider Lane Adkins contributed to this report...
The most controversial selection of the draft for the Cleveland Browns was Dillon Gabriel, the quarterback out of Oregon. Despite his lack of size and the fact he was already 24 years old, the Browns felt good enough about him to select him with the 94th pick in the third round. Plenty of critics continue to ask why.
Gabriel has extensive experience, having played at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. In his last stop with the Ducks, he was able to lead them to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten Championship and a playoff berth. Even as Gabriel has been unquestionably successful at the collegiate level, there was no shortage of skepticism about his ability to translate to the NFL.
He's short for the position. Before even finishing typing his name in Google, the first automatic response is 5'11".
He's older. While some teams are less inclined to worry about age, especially with quarterbacks staying in college longer to take advantage of the portal rules, 24 is typically the age where results start to decline.
Especially given the options that were still on the board, including Shedeur Sanders, who the Browns would later select in the fifth round, there was an audible collective gasp when the Browns selected Gabriel. To his credit, Gabriel has not backed down, unwilling to be anything other than a consistent version of himself. The OBR has learned what the Browns saw in Gabriel both through the draft process as well as what they've seen from him since joining the team.