Dillon Gabriel, an afterthought in Browns' QB competition, has a fantastic preseason finale

Deshaun Watson was the QB1 most of the offseason, and when the Browns picked him as the starter it seemed like a predetermined outcome. Shedeur Sanders was the one who was said to have been competing with Watson. He got a start in the Browns' second preseason game ahead of Watson.

Gabriel, a third-round pick last year, never seemed like a consideration. That made Thursday night's performance a bit interesting.

Gabriel had a big first half for the Browns in the preseason finale against the New England Patriots as Watson and Sanders sat out. Gabriel was 12 of 15 for 186 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half. His 157.9 passer rating was just short of a perfect mark, which is 158.3. The Browns scored on all five of Dillon's possessions in the first half, not counting a one-play drive before the half expired.