CLEVELAND, Ohio — Through his first three starts, Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel has shown a composed pocket presence and clean decision-making that demonstrates the game is not too big for him.
He’s managed to keep the ball out of harm’s way, registering zero interceptions in 107 pass attempts so far this season. His completion rate, which is just under 60%, shows he can deliver the ball accurately under pressure, and he’s shown that throwing from multiple launch points helps his accuracy and builds confidence in the pocket.
That said, consistency and explosiveness are the next steps, especially with the looming challenge against Mike Vrabel’s tough, disciplined Patriots defense.
While Gabriel has been efficient, his 5.1 yards per attempt shows he’s still playing a bit conservatively. To take the next step, he must stretch the field and generate chunk plays in the 15-to-25-yard range, forcing defenses to defend every blade of grass. Against a well-coached New England unit that thrives on limiting short throws and disguising coverage, those vertical strikes and intermediate level completions could be the key to unlocking the Browns’ offense and keeping the Patriots off balance.
Here three ways Gabriel can have success stretching the field against the Patriots:
1. Lean on Judkins on early downs
Quinshon Judkins has quickly become the focal point of the offense, with 467 rushing yards on 109 carries and five touchdowns this season. His consistent production forces defenses to load the box and focus on stopping the run.
As the Patriots prepare, they will likely crowd the line of scrimmage to contain the rookie running back, committing extra defenders to gap control and run fits. That attention will create opportunities to use play action on first down, drawing linebackers forward and opening windows behind them. When New England sells out to stop Judkins, it gives Gabriel the chance to take advantage of one-on-one matchups downfield and attack a defense caught overplaying the run.
In the clip below, Judkins shows his explosiveness on this 46-yard touchdown run against the Dolphins. Expect the Browns to build off that success, especially on first down, using play action to attack the safeties with Jerry Jeudy working from the slot.
2. Continue accuracy on high/low routes
Gabriel has been most comfortable operating within Kevin Stefanski’s hi/low concepts, which clearly define his reads and build confidence.
By layering routes at two or three levels, Stefanski gives Gabriel a simple one-to-two progression, often reading a single linebacker or flat defender. These designs paired with play action or boot movement create natural throwing lanes and let Gabriel use his athleticism to reset his launch point. He has shown good timing hitting the underneath crossers and flats, while occasionally taking the deep dig or corner when coverage rotates. This structure has allowed Gabriel to stay in rhythm, limit turnovers, and generate steady intermediate completions that keep the Browns ahead of the chains.
In the clip below, Jeudy goes in motion and no defender follows, which shows zone coverage. The Vikings rotate into a cover 2 read 2 palms look. Gabriel recognizes the corner squatting on the high low smash concept and throws on time to a spot where only Njoku can make the catch.
3. Take a chance when opportunity presents itself within the offense
As Gabriel continues to grow, he must begin to create more explosive chunk plays in the 15-to-25-yard range. He has shown solid poise in the pocket and has taken what the defense has given him, consistently completing the easy and safe throws underneath. That efficiency is valuable but as defenses start to key in on the short and intermediate routes, he will need to stretch the field vertically to keep them honest. There have been several plays where the deeper progression has come open and those are the moments he needs to trust his arm and timing.
Pushing the ball down the field not only opens up explosive scoring opportunities but also forces safeties to back off, which creates more space for the run game and the short passing concepts. The ability to hit those deeper shots is often what separates a game manager from a true playmaker. If Gabriel can blend his accuracy and decision making with a willingness to attack vertically, he will raise both his production and the overall rhythm and pace of the offense.
In the clip below, the Browns use 13 personnel to create confusion, shifting from a power look to empty. Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen fails to carry Njoku, leaving him wide open, but Gabriel needs to slide left and make the throw.
The Browns use a “Dash” concept to move Gabriel out of the pocket and change the launch point. He does a nice job locating the first-level throw, but needs to progress to those chunk plays. As you can see in the clip below, Jeudy comes open deep on the third level.
Gabriel’s growth depends on hitting the chunk plays built into the offense. When he connects on those opportunities, it stretches the defense and opens up the playbook.
What we learned
If Gabriel can combine his accuracy and poise with a willingness to attack downfield, the Browns’ offense will find the balance and explosiveness it needs to challenge New England’s disciplined defense.
It will also take the next step in Gabriel’s development.
Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.
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