Browns Give Emphatic Answer on Critical Dillon Gabriel Flaw
On Wednesday at Browns practice there was, no question, a reporter on hand who had an agenda–asking everyone in the orange-and-brown just how it is playing with a quarterback who is undersize. And coming out of college, that was the big flaw most scouts latched onto when it comes to Dillon Gabriel–he is just 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds and a wingspan of 73 inches.
Here’s what Pro Football Focus wrote coming out of the Combine last spring: “Gabriel’s measurables — height, weight, wingspan, hand size, etc. — are all in the 35th percentile or lower among quarterbacks. That’s quite a barrier to developing into a successful NFL signal-caller. He’ll be at a significant disadvantage, and some teams may even be scared off from drafting him.”
It’s only been four NFL games, but some of the concerns about Gabriel before the draft are clearly at play now that he is suiting up for the Browns. Basically, that the guy’s too short.
Browns ‘Would Not Characterize’ Dillon Gabriel Height as a Flaw
Of the three quarterbacks who were used, before the draft, in defense of Gabriel–Bryce Young, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray, who are also under 6-feet in height–only Young still has his job. So it’s probably fair to wonder whether Gabriel’s just too short for this business.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked whether the problem of Gabriel’s height is showing up on game film. Stefasnki said no, but mostly dodged the issue.
“I understand the question, Tony (Grossi), but I would not characterize it that way,” he said. “We need to play better as an offense. Certainly, there’s areas to improve for a young quarterback, but it’s really on all of us to improve.”
Browns Jerry Jeudy Emphatic in Defense
The Browns can’t force Gabriel to grow three or four inches, of course. But it is impossible to say his height is not hindering him, even if the Browns refuse to acknowledge that. Scouts criticized Gabriel’s lack of deep-throw risks in college and attributed that to his height, and here in the NFL, he has thrown just six balls of 20-plus yards in four starts. There’s been only one completion, and one interception.
At Pro Football Focus, Gabriel has a grade of 46.5, which ranks No. 37 out of 37 graded QBs.
But it was clear that Browns players do not want to get into the business of criticizing Gabriel, even his height. Star receiver Jerry Jeudy was asked whether Gabriel can see his receivers well enough down the field, but Jeudy responded, flatly, “Yes.”
Dillon Gabriel: Deep Balls ‘Got to Happen’
Gabriel was not flatly asked about his height–he was asked that plenty of times before and after the Browns drafted him. But he was asked about the notion of being afraid to throw downfield, which some have directly linked to his lack of size and ability to see deep receivers.
The 1-for-6 number speaks for itself.
“I think there’s just a mixture of things that have to come together to make that happen, that’s myself included,” Gabriel said. “But you know, like we’ve talked about before, explosives, they got to happen. There’s certain categories within a game that you have to win and explosives and you know, being really good on first and second down so that you’re in some third-and-manageables and moving the chain, sustaining drives.
“So that’ll all contribute to that, but no uncomfortability like that’s something that we work on and want to continue to emphasize.”
New Info Emerges on Colts QB Daniel Jones’ Next Projected Mega-Contract
The artist formerly known as Danny Dimes — he goes by Indiana Jones now — is very likely going to cash in, big time. The only question is whether Daniel Jones will re-sign with the Indianapolis Colts or try his luck elsewhere.
Jones has found new life in Indianapolis, where he has helped power one of the AFC’s most surprising teams. The Colts took a low-risk swing on the veteran quarterback this past offseason, signing him to a one-year, $14 million deal with incentives. So far, that investment has looked like a bargain — particularly considering what his next projected contract could cost.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report ranked Jones as the No. 1 free agent of 2026, and he predicts Jones will ink a four-year deal worth $200 million. Will the Colts re-sign him first? Knox thinks so.
“There’s a very good chance the top player on our board doesn’t actually reach free agency,” Knox wrote on November 5. “Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is playing at an All-Pro level, has Indianapolis looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender and is making the sort of highlight-reel plays we’re used to seeing from Jalen Hurts or Josh Allen.”
More on Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones Expected to Sign $200 Contract Extension
GettyDaniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts is expected to sign a lucrative extension upwards of $200 million. Will he stay in Indy or go elsewhere?
“At only 28 years old, Jones still has the potential to become a franchise-caliber quarterback and long-term answer for a team,” Knox noted. “According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Colts are already interested in bringing him back on a long-term deal after this season. Just about any QB-needy team would be wise to make a run at Jones if he reaches the market. He should surpass the $33.5 millionannually that Sam Darnold got this offseason by quite a bit, potentially approaching the $53 million annually that Brock Purdy received.”
Other NFL insiders suspect the Colts will make a play to keep Jones around, as well. Dan Graziano of ESPN noted that the Colts wouldn’t have made the mega-trade for CB Sauce Gardner if they weren’t all-in on Jones.
“One other aspect of the Colts’ deal for Gardner that a few people have mentioned to me: This signals that they’re fully convinced on Daniel Jones at quarterback,” Graziano wrote on November 5. “If they felt Jones wasn’t going to be the answer and they were going to need a QB of the future, they wouldn’t have traded their next two first-round picks. I continue to be on the lookout for a Jones contract extension this offseason, if not sooner.”
Jones Is Playing His Way Into a Big Time Deal
Through nine games, Jones has thrown for 2,404 yards, 14 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing nearly 69% of his passes. His 70.6 QBR ranks among the top ten quarterbacks in the league, and perhaps most importantly, he’s avoided the turnover issues that defined his final years in New York.
He’s playing within Shane Steichen’s system, distributing the ball efficiently and showing the mobility that once made him a first-round pick. For a Colts franchise that spent the last few years cycling through quarterbacks, he’s given some stability.
That’s why all signs point to the Colts re-sign Jones. At 28, he’s in his prime and has shown solid command of Steichen’s offense. His decision-making has improved, and his leadership has resonated with a young locker room that seems to believe in him strongly. That kind of belief will likely resonate with GM Chris Ballard, who will ultimately have to decide whether Jones is worth a deal around $200 million.
