ESPN NFL draft analyst scouts Dillon Gabriel ahead of 2024 NFL draft
Heading into the 2023 college football season, the Oklahoma Sooners have much to prove. After a 6-7 season, everything can get better.
While much of the focus is on the defense, the offense has room to improve as a unit. It was really good in 2022, but in key situations, the Sooners need to be more efficient.
One of the bright spots was the play of quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Playing his first season at the Power Five level, Gabriel helped Oklahoma average 32 points and 474 yards per game.
While Gabriel has been good, there’s room to improve, especially as 2023 represents another opportunity to improve his stock before the 2024 NFL draft.
Taking a look at the draft-eligible quarterbacks for the 2024 NFL Draft (ESPN+) , Jordan Reid of ESPN had this to say about Gabriel.
Gabriel was the conductor of the Sooners’ offense last season and finished with 3,168 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. A capable runner, he also scored another six rushing touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 204-pound left-hander has good accuracy in the intermediate-to-deep portions of the field, but he must show more consistency in the underneath areas. – Jordan Reid, ESPN
Gabriel’s accuracy seemed to drop off when throwing slant and over routes. He’s got good anticipation and a good enough arm to get the ball downfield. But there were times when the ball sailed, leading to overthrows in 2022.
The NFL’s height requirements have taken a hit in recent years with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Bryce Young being selected No. 1 overall in the last decade. Though that gives Gabriel a chance to be selected, it’s a long shot for him to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
The 2023 season could go a long way toward boosting his draft stock. How effective the Sooners’ offense is in 2023 will depend on Gabriel improving his accuracy over the middle of the field and the offense becoming more efficient on third down and in the red zone.
Breaking in three new starters on the offensive line and losing his top two receivers, Marvin Mims and Brayden Willis, will require players such as Austin Stogner and Jalil Farooq to step forward.
There’s a lot of optimism the Sooners offense will maintain the same level of explosiveness and effectiveness. And if it does, a big reason will be Dillon Gabriel.
His leadership and proficiency as a passer will help mitigate the losses they suffered on the offensive side of the ball and bridge the gap as Oklahoma retools for the 2023 season.
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