Is Dillon Gabriel an Opener?

Paul DePodesta has spent much of his 10+ years in Cleveland boldly trying to disprove conventional NFL wisdom or what I suspect Mr. DePodesta might label as conventional NFL bias.  For the most part however he's never discovered his NFL version of Chad Bradford or Scott Hatteberg.

Well, maybe just maybe with the selection of two QB's in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns have lurched uncontrollably into an opportunity to get a win over conventional NFL wisdom which states that a team must have a franchise QB and that one QB must take the vast majority of the snaps during a game to be successful.

I happen to like Dillon Gabriel and, yes, I happen to really like Shedeur Sanders.   It occurs to me however that both of them at this point in their careers have strengths and weaknesses.   Well, what if, as in baseball, we use analytics to maximize the strengths each bring and mitigate the risk each have in weaknesses.  

Play them both!

How about Gabriel, who is known for precision, not making big mistakes and making reads across the entire field, as your opener.   Script plays and use him at the start of each half.

How about Sanders as your middle reliever.   He's accurate and has great field vision and importantly he can improvise a big play or two because he possesses an understanding of what defensive backfields are doing.   Use him after the first Browns drive in each half.  

You can close the game with either depending on the opponent.   Once you have a lead, hand the ball off.

Gabriel gets about 20 snaps a game.

Sanders gets about 40 snaps a game. 

Force our opponents to prepare for two QB's not one.

Keep both QB's healthy and fresh

Paul DePodesta gets a long overdue victory!

Win - Win - Win!