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Daniel Oyefusi
BEREA, Ohio — The Cleveland Browns‘ collection of quarterback Dillon Gabriel within the third spherical of the NFL draft was a widespread shock for a participant pegged as a Day 3 decide — nevertheless it was shortly overshadowed by the staff taking Shedeur Sanders within the fifth spherical to finish his surprising fall.
Sanders has grabbed headlines in and out of doors of Cleveland for the reason that decide, however Gabriel stated he’s embracing the guy rookie’s addition to a crowded quarterback room.
“I find it irresistible,” Gabriel stated Saturday earlier than the Browns’ second rookie minicamp follow. “I find it irresistible due to who it’s. I believe only for us each, you’ll be able to study from each other, but in addition it is not simply us two within the room. No less than for proper now it’s. However going into the yr, Kenny [Pickett], Joe [Flacco] and even Deshaun [Watson], only a bunch of fellows who performed a bunch of ball that we are able to all study from each other.”
Sanders, in the meantime, stated Saturday his focus is not on proving anybody improper after the gorgeous fall within the draft.
“It is simply me versus me,” Sanders stated. “I am unable to management every other choice moreover that. So I simply attempt to be my greatest self always. … My job right here is not to show folks improper. I am proving myself proper.”
On the primary day of rookie minicamp, Sanders and Gabriel break up follow reps, with Gabriel taking the primary handful of snaps in staff drills, although coach Kevin Stefanski downplayed the follow order. Stefanski added that the rookies’ work in minicamp is competitors and educational and that the quarterback battle within the coming months can be an “all-encompassing analysis.”
Sanders and Gabriel are transitioning to the professionals after prolonged and profitable school careers. Sanders was a four-year participant at FCS Jackson State earlier than following his father, Deion, to Colorado. Gabriel was a six-year participant who made 63 begins throughout stints at Oregon, Oklahoma and UCF.
Regardless of a quarterback room with loads of contenders for the beginning job, Gabriel stated he needs to method each follow as if he would be the starter.
“I solely know one strategy to put together,” Gabriel stated. “I solely know one strategy to work, and that’s because the starter. I’ve performed a bunch of ball and have a variety of expertise, so I’ll use that to my benefit. … I believe every single day I method is like I’ll go get that rep, and I stay it like that.”
