3 programs, 6 years, 64 starts, and 156 touchdowns. Talk about extensive. Hawaii native Dillon Gabriel’s name is forever etched in the annals of college football. A collegiate career that saw him finish with the record for the most touchdowns in FBS history. Yet, a line in the sand between CFB and the NFL is proving to be an obstacle. All that gaudy production isn’t earning the quarterback much in terms of draft stock. The reason is egregious but rational. You see, Dillon Gabriel is probably 6’5 when he’s standing atop his achievements. But he’s really only 5”11. His frame has proven to be the biggest “yeah, but” throughout this draft process. Ironically, though, he’s being predicted to land with a franchise that’s got an infamously short QB1 already in the building—and a fan/insider has stamped a proverbial seal of approval.

The consensus around Dillon Gabriel’s draft grade is that he’ll be a Day 3 pick. Mind you, this is somebody who walked into Eugene just last off-season and led Oregon to the B1G Championship. Gabriel’s shown he’s adaptable in different offenses, can move in and out of the pocket, can move the sticks rushing with his legs if it collapses, and even possesses the intangibles. Most of all, he’s got an unrivaled amount of experience. Seen all sorts of defenses and can plug in for an NFL team off the jump given he’s already moved across 3 programs. Yet, his experience can be reciprocally viewed as too much tread on the tires. Plus, concerns around his short frame are a nagging indictment. With all this baked in, there’s a certain market for Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel projects as an enticing option for franchises that have their QB1 in place. But they need requisite cover—whether that’s due to injury concerns or general uncertainty around said QB1. The recurrent concussions for Tua Tagovailoa are factored into reporting around the Miami Dolphins being interested in Gabriel. But the Dolphins aren’t alone. A terrestrial animal is also circling around him. Ben Rolfe of PFSN released a 7-round mock draft. He’s got Dillon Gabriel heading to the Carolina Panthers in Round 5, 140th overall. There’s no smoke without fire. There has been sporadic reporting about the Panthers’ interest in drafting a QB alongside Bryce Young to add depth. Owing to this, Joshua Edwards has aired his thoughts on Gabriel as a pick. As well as what it’ll spawn in terms of a potential QB controversy.

Speaking over his Panthers Pride YouTube channel, Edwards mentioned how these links are picking up steam. He also alluded to the Panthers having 4 fourth-round picks. Which fans the flames of Gabriel landing with them as someone graded in and around that region of the draft. “We already know Bryce Young is our quarterback of the future. But as an insurance- if he gets hurt, if Andy Dalton gets hurt- I’m not mad at us signing Dillon Gabriel,” remarked Edwards. He began with a firm belief that this won’t cause a QB controversy in Carolina, given how well Young turned a corner last season after initially getting benched. However, Edwards did soften his stance after realizing there’s a chance Dillon threatens Bryce.

“The more that you think about it, it might cause some controversy… say Dillon Gabriel is out here [performing] in practice, and Bryce Young has a couple of bad weeks. Then you’re gonna have [HC] Dave Canales and [GM] Dan Morgan looking over their shoulder. [Owner] David Tepper obviously looking down on the field like, ‘Hey, this Dillon Gabriel kid is pretty nice, man. I think we might need to give him a shot.’ You’re just gonna cause more noise in the Carolina Panthers’ locker room,” said Joshua Edwards. Dalton is firmly second-string, given the current phase of his career does not match the timeline the franchise is on. But another young QB who’s also been on that Heisman podium? There are grounds for concern. Which Edwards delved into further, before his final verdict on whether he’s open to Gabriel despite that concern. 

Dillon Gabriel’s potential arrival could be a double-edged sword for Bryce Young and the Panthers

Bryce Young walked into Carolina as a bit of a messiah figure. Someone who could fill that Cam Newton-shaped void behind the center. His Alabama career earned him the chance to be the No. 1 overall pick. That said, he had concerns about his height as well. Bryce Young is an inch shorter than even Dillon Gabriel. But the talent and ceiling superseded partisan worries about how he’ll see his receivers over the offensive line! Alas, his time in Charlotte hasn’t been smooth sailing. It culminated in Bryce getting benched in Week 3 of his sophomore year. Before then being brought back in later in the year after Andy Dalton got into an accident. Well, Bryce hasn’t looked back since. He finished the year with a stretch of his best games in a Panthers shirt. So does it make sense now to sow seeds of doubt with another young QB?

Bryce Young won’t mind it. If his confidence is indeed wavering with competition in the QB room, maybe he’s not cut out to be the franchise anyway. Iron sharpens iron. Dillon Gabriel can help permeate his wealth of experience over to Young. Plus, this affords the Panthers a contingency plan. In case Young’s upturn at the end of last season was just smoke and mirrors, and he struggles again. Or if there’s an injury keeping him out. As aforementioned, Gabriel has showcased adaptability and can plug in immediately. 

In summation, Joshua Edwards said, “If we’re looking to add to the quarterback room, Dillon Gabriel is a good addition. But just be mindful you can cause a lot of disruption.”  So he’s greenlit the move, but it’s not all that straightforward. It remains to be seen what transpires of this. From Gabriel’s perspective, he’ll be happy it’s a team where he has a chance to become the starter. But it’s also a team where he could rot on the bench perpetually, given the starter is so young. No pun intended!