Analysis: Dillon Gabriel gets his turn, has solid start in win over Eagles

Dillon Gabriel didn't throw away his shot.With his tight hamstring loose enough for him to get the start, the rookie left-hander was composed and largely efficient Saturday in the Browns' 22-13 victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia as they improved to 2-0 in the preseason. The hamstring prevented him from playing a week earlier against the Panthers.That's when Shedeur Sanders seized the opportunity and sent a jolt through Browns fans and the NFL world. He couldn't build on the buzz Saturday because of an oblique strain sustained Wednesday early in practice.The comparison is inevitable of the rookie quarterbacks selected two rounds and 50 picks apart in April. Sanders, who was taken No. 144 in the fifth round, was better in their preseason debuts, but it wasn't a rout.Gabriel, picked No. 94 in the third round, went 13-for-18 (72 percent) for 143 yards, an interception, two sacks and a 72.2 passer rating. He played the first half — Tyler Huntley took over after halftime — and led the offense to a touchdown and two field goals.The operation was mostly smooth, like it was under Sanders. Coach Kevin Stefanski was forced to use a timeout to avoid a delay penalty Saturday, but otherwise the offense looked crisp.Gabriel made strong, accurate throws, including to the sideline and over the middle, and was at his best on third down, going 6-for-6 for 51 yards, five conversions and a sack. The Browns started 6-for-6 on third down.The performance was needed after Gabriel struggled during the first weeks of training camp, particularly with his accuracy. He completed 73 percent last year at Oregon, so the outing against the Eagles was what the Browns expected when they took him well earlier than anyone predicted."I'm a guy that sees it long term," Gabriel told reporters after the game. "I think just continuing to learn from maybe some things that can't happen, like turnovers, but I think other than that there was flashes of being very consistent and clean as an offense."Sanders went 14-for-23 (61 percent) for 138 yards last week and had a significant edge in touchdowns thrown (2-0) and turnovers avoided (0-2).Gabriel threw a pick-six, with Andrew Mukuba returning it 75 yards for a touchdown. Gabriel rolled left and threw into traffic, although the interception wasn't all his fault.Tight end Blake Whiteheart and receiver Diontae Johnson were too close to each other, then Whiteheart pulled his arms back, thinking the pass was intended for Johnson. The other turnover was a botched handoff between Gabriel and running back Pierre Strong Jr., who never got the ball.Like Sanders, Gabriel led a successful end-of-half drill. This one ended with a 49-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt."Obviously I'm not going to compare our players, other than to say I'm pleased with both those guys, where they are in their progression," Stefanski said. "They have the mentality that they're going to get better every single day, which I appreciate. That's really where our focus is."Gabriel tried to defuse a social media controversy trying to pit him against Sanders.During a sideline interview on the TV broadcast, Gabriel said: "There's entertainers and there's competitors, and I totally understand that. And my job is to compete, and that's what I'm focused on doing."He said after the game the media are the "entertainers.""All of you in this room are entertainers and you have a job to do and I respect it," he said. "And I'm a competitor so I have a job to do as well. I've said that multiple times, so definitely not a new quote."Gabriel was asked directly to clarify it wasn't a shot at Sanders."Yeah. First off, I am all about our team," he said. "And each other. I would never make that."Entertainers are you all. Competitor, that's what I am and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do. So that's it."The battle between the rookie quarterbacks likely won't matter for a while.Joe Flacco is expected to be named the Week 1 starter, with Kenny Pickett the backup, assuming his hamstring heals. That leaves Gabriel and Sanders waiting and learning. Eventually the organization might have to decide which rookie to play this season.At this stage, it's probably safe to say Gabriel remains in front. He started with a lead given the predraft evaluations and the belief Sanders had a steeper learning curve coming out of college. Sanders has outperformed Gabriel in practice and the preseason, but likely not by a wide enough margin in the organization's eyes to adjust the depth chart.The Browns have one preseason game left, next Saturday afternoon at home vs. the Rams. Flacco and the starters are expected to play, and if Pickett is cleared, that would take even more reps from the rookies.If the both see action, the comparisons will continue.Here are a few other takeaways from the matinee in Philly.DOING IT WITH DIf the Browns are going to exceed expectations this season, the defense will have to carry them.It's off to a promising start.The defense has gotten the best of the offense on most days in training camp, then showed it's not just the favorable matchup by performing well during the two joint practices with the Eagles.It didn't let up Saturday.The Eagles had only 88 net yards — 33 rushing and 55 passing. They didn't play their starters, but neither did the Browns.Despite the showing, cornerback is a major concern following Martin Emerson Jr.'s season-ending torn Achilles. Cameron Mitchell has been given the first shot to step into the No. 1 nickelback spot but has given up several completions in practice.On Saturday, he allowed Philadelphia's only offensive touchdown, a 9-yard pass from Kyle McCord to Ainias Smith. He just beat Mitchell to the inside on a slant.ENDS MEETCoordinator Jim Schwartz wasn't wrong when he said the Browns have too many quality defensive ends to keep on the 53-man roster, and many who don't make it will end up contributing on other NFL teams.Even with Myles Garrett not playing in the first two preseason games, several ends made big plays.Alex Wright had a sack against Carolina, then Isaiah McGuire got one against the Eagles with an inside move. They are competing with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to be the starter opposite Garrett.They were all overshadowed by K.J. Henry's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown Saturday. The ends were bookends on the play, as Julian Okwara hit quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson as he threw, causing the ball to float to Henry.Unfortunately for Henry, he later lined up in the neutral zone, negating an interception by linebacker Nathaniel "Bookie" Watson.Okwara added a pass defensed, and Cameron Thomas had a quarterback hit that didn't make up for a roughing the passer penalty.FINAL THOUGHTSReceiver Kaden Davis continued his strong push for a regular-season roster spot. He caught three passes for a game-high 44 yards after catching two touchdowns from Sanders last week.** Watson, a sixth-round pick in 2024, was all over the field as he tries to secure a roster spot. He had three solo tackles — all for loss — an assist on special teams and the interception that didn't count.** Defensive tackle Shelby Harris, 34, was one of the few veterans to play. He made an impact with a batted ball and a quarterback pressure.The post Analysis: Dillon Gabriel gets his turn, has solid start in win over Eagles first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.