Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) heads on to the field during day two of NFL rookie minicamp at the Cleveland Browns training facility on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Berea, Ohio.

Cleveland Browns: Analyst Reveals Surprising QB1 Pick Over Shedeur Sanders

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated May 26, 2025 8:15 AM ET

Is there a more intriguing quarterback room right now than that of the Cleveland Browns?

The AFC North team carries four healthy QBs at the moment, including Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco, offseason trade acquisition Kenny Pickett, and two rookies in Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson is still recuperating from an injury.

With Watson in danger of missing the entire 2025 NFL season, the Browns are left with a big decision to make about which QB they will tab to handle starting duties come the new campaign.

NFL analyst believes the Cleveland Browns have to go with a rookie as QB1 – but not Sanders

Flacco appears to be the top QB1 choice right now for the Browns, given his experience and familiarity with Cleveland, having played for the team in 2024. But for NFL analyst Matt Fontana, it will make more sense for the Browns to look in the direction of Gabriel instead.

“I was not in when they drafted you, man. I had a lot of questions, and I still do. But I want him to start Week One for the Browns,” Fontana said.

Will Dillon Gabriel win the #Browns starting QB job? #DawgPound

“I was not in when they drafted you, man. I had a lot of questions, and I still do. But I want him to start Week One for the Browns.”

— @MattFontana83 pic.twitter.com/7LbQfV9oFn

— Matt Fontana Show (@MattFontanaShow) May 23, 2025

Selected in the third round (94th overall) of the 2025 NFL draft by the Browns, Gabriel is coming off a prolific season with the Oregon Ducks. In the 2024 college football season, Gabriel threw for a total of 3,857 passing yards and 30 touchdowns with only six interceptions on a 72.9 percent completion rate.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a pass during the Oregon football’s Pro Day Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Ore.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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