Analysis: Good day could go long way for Dillon Gabriel … and four other things to watch vs. Eagles

The matinee with the Eagles would get a whole lot more interesting if Dillon Gabriel gets the start.The rookie quarterback has struggled during training camp and has been limited by a hamstring injury the last two weeks, including missing the preseason opener Aug. 8 against the Panthers. If he's cleared to face the Eagles at 1 p.m. today in Philadelphia — the Browns will make the decision in the morning — he can match Shedeur Sanders' impressive performance vs. Carolina, ease concerns about his camp inconsistencies and even make a case he'll be ready to be Joe Flacco's backup Week 1.Coach Kevin Stefanski and the organization would love to see Gabriel for at least a half.The Browns were high on him when they drafted him in the third round out of Oregon, citing his decision-making, accuracy and productivity for taking him rounds earlier than anyone expected. The Browns were convinced his lack of size (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) wasn't an insurmountable obstacle to success.The height issue has shown up in camp, but more troublesome has been a lack of accuracy. Gabriel can make the right decision, but it doesn't matter if the pass is off-target.Stefanski is a master at getting young quarterbacks completions during the preseason — Sanders vs. Carolina was the latest example — so Gabriel will have the chance to succeed if he plays. A good showing against the Eagles could get him back on track and give the Browns plenty to think about as they decide whether to keep three or four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.Gabriel, 24, has mastered the non-answer and refused to look ahead to the potential start against Philadelphia."I try to just stay in the moment," he told reporters Wednesday in Philadelphia after the first of two joint practices. "I'll look forward to that moment once it comes and be right where my feet are."If Gabriel doesn't play, Tyler Huntley will likely get every repetition. Sanders has an oblique strain, Kenny Pickett has a hamstring injury and Joe Flacco got the bulk of the reps in the joint practices and will get the day off.That's great for Huntley, as he tries to land a job. It just won't be with the Browns, who have too many quarterbacks, just not enough healthy ones.If Gabriel doesn't play, he'll miss another chance to prove himself. And he's running out of them.Here are four other things to watch in the matchup with the reigning Super Bowl champs.A KICK IN THE TEETHA missed extra point in the preseason shouldn't be a worry.It feels like one with Dustin Hopkins.The 34-year-old is coming off a bad season, so each kick will be scrutinized until he strings together a bunch of makes … or is gone. Both seem like real possibilities.Hopkins was great in 2023 but made only 18 of 27 field goals and 17 of 20 extra points last year. So when he barely sneaked an extra point inside the upright against Carolina and then missed another, alarm bells went off.Hopkins has a much longer track record, but the situation is similar to when Cade York was coming off an up-and-down rookie season and was cut after a terrible preseason in 2023.The Browns want Hopkins to work because he's under contract through 2027. With an offense not expected to be explosive, they can't afford to give away points in the kicking game.Hopkins needs to make his kicks, starting today.LOCK IT DOWNReceiver Kaden Davis caught two touchdowns vs. the Panthers and looked like the favorite to win a roster spot behind Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman, Diontae Johnson, Jamari Thrash and returner DeAndre Carter. Another big day against the Eagles might've secured a spot on the 53-man roster.Then a twist was added.Rookie Isaiah Bond, who wasn't drafted after he was arrested on a sexual assault warrant, wasn't indicted by a Texas grand jury Thursday and quickly posted on social media he would be signing with the Browns. He thanked owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry by name for "giving me this opportunity."The Browns didn't immediately sign him, likely because they've taken enough public relations hits lately, but are expected to do so this weekend. Bond was projected to be a Day 2 pick, which would've made him a lock to make any roster. If the Browns sign Bond, there will be one less spot for a receiver, which means Davis would have to do even more to make the team.ON THE CORNERWith Martin Emerson Jr. out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, the coaches are looking for someone to emerge as the Nos. 3 and 4 cornerbacks behind Pro Bowler Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II.Cameron Mitchell, a fifth-round pick in 2023, has gotten the first chance but has given up a series of completions. Chigozie Anusiem was next up on the outside with Newsome out of team drills with a shoulder injury, then got hurt against the Panthers and was out all week. LaMareon James (concussion) also missed the week.Myles Harden, a seventh-round pick last year, could challenge Mithcell for the No. 1 nickelback spot and has flashed. The concern with him is durability at 5-11, 195 pounds, so he needs to stay on the field and string strong performances.Z MARKS THE SPOTZak Zinter is supposed to be part of the long-term plans. He was drafted in the third round last year and penciled in to start at one of the guard spots in 2026 after the retirement of Joel Bitonio or the free agent departure of Wyatt Teller.Zinter has to be here to be part of the plan.He struggled in limited action as a rookie and needs to prove he's made a jump to earn one of the precious backup spots along the line. Veterans Cornelius Lucas and Teven Jenkins are the early favorites to take two, which could leave only one or two on the 53-man roster.Zinter might have to beat out Luke Wypler and/or Javion Cohen. Wypler has been running as the No. 2 center, so Zinter would be helped by showing he can handle center in an emergency.The post Analysis: Good day could go long way for Dillon Gabriel … and four other things to watch vs. Eagles first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.