At the NFL Scouting Combine, dreams are made—or broken. And soon-to-be-drafted players outside the top 100 could surprise everyone. Remember, last season, rookie QBs Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels proved that experience matters. Before them, Brock Purdy showed that reps can fast-track success. And now, Dillon Gabriel steps into the conversation. He’s battled through three different schools, building grit, leadership, and a winning mentality. But sure, his size raises questions, while his resume speaks volumes. And now, with all eyes on him, ESPN just dropped a major update on his NFL future.
In a recent episode of ESPN College Football, Rece Davis, Pete Thamel, and NFL Draft insider Matt Miller broke down where this year’s quarterbacks could land in the 2025 NFL Draft. Then, the future of Dillon Gabriel took center stage. Miller weighed in, saying, “You know, Day Three, you get into, like, Dillon Gabriel—probably goes early Day Three just because he’s so undersized. But he’s, you know, really accurate. He’s had a ton of success, and you get into more of that group on Day Three. So we might not see as many like we did last year. We saw a lot of late-round quarterbacks because they were, ‘Hey, this is a round; this guy’s going to be a QB3 forever.‘”
As of now, despite his success, Gabriel’s draft projection sits in the early Day Three range. Because size matters in the NFL, and at 5’11”, 202 lbs, Dillon Gabriel isn’t the biggest quarterback in the draft. But what he lacks in stature, he makes up for with production. In 2024, he became an Oregon fan favorite, leading the B1G with 3,857 passing yards and 30 TDs. On top of that, he wasn’t just a pocket passer—he added 149 rushing yards and seven TDs on the ground, proving to be a dual-threat weapon. And when it was all said and done, Gabriel’s career numbers were staggering—18,722 passing yards and 155 total TDs.
Sep 14, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Given that, Gabriel’s draft stock is on the rise. And after shining at the Senior Bowl, he’s building momentum heading into the NFL Scouting Combine. Now, he has a golden chance to keep climbing. But despite his impressive track record, most NFL big boards rank him between the No. 6 and No. 8 QB prospects in the 2025 draft class.
Not only this, projections place him anywhere from late Day Two to early Day Three. But that could be the perfect sweet spot for a $10 billion franchise looking for a bargain on a rookie quarterback like Gabriel. However, with the draft approaching, Gabriel is on a mission to prove he’s more than just a mid-round pick—he’s a future NFL difference-maker.
However, the $10 billion franchise, Dallas Cowboys, has its eyes on the future. Executive VP Stephen Jones confirmed that the team wants to draft a QB in the 2025 NFL Draft. While Dak Prescott remains the clear starter, depth is a growing concern. Because both backup QBs, Trey Lance and Cooper Rush, are set to hit free agency. So, that opens the door for a fresh face in the QB room. Now, could Oregon’s Gabriel be the answer? As per us, with his experience, accuracy, and dual-threat ability, the team might just be the perfect fit for him, but there is some shaky ground.
The NFL destination of Dillon Gabriel is in doubt
Dillon Gabriel isn’t just another name in the 2025 NFL Draft—he’s battle-tested and built for the next level. On top of that, the Heisman Trophy finalist led Oregon to an undefeated regular season and a Big 10 title, proving he can win on the biggest stage. Moreover, while Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders dominate headlines in the race to be drafted first, Gabriel brings something they don’t—unmatched experience. Yes, with years of high-level play under his belt and a skill set tailored for the pros, he’s the sleeper pick that could make a franchise very happy.
While Gabriel might not be in the first-round spotlight like Shedeur and Ward, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah still sees a long career ahead for him. Jeremiah even compared Gabriel’s potential to that of Tua Tagovailoa and Bryce Young, saying, “With Tua Tagovailoa’s success and with Bryce Young finding it in a little bit in the second half, that’s the model for what he can be.”
But here’s where things get shaky. Jeremiah also pointed out, “He’s probably a third-, fourth-round pick. To me, he’s going to be in the NFL as a backup forever.” To be honest, a Heisman finalist destined for a backup role? That’s a tough pill to swallow. However, don’t worry. Gabriel’s NFL destination remains uncertain. Now, let’s see where the standout QB will find his next home in the NFL.
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