As the Browns 2025 draft class, undrafted free agents and tryout players walked off the field at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for the first time in their helmets and jerseys, they wrapped up their first day of rookie minicamp.
"Really good first day with these guys," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Beautiful day out here on the grass. They're doing a very, very nice job, as you would imagine, on their first day."
Here are the main notes and observations from the first day of rookie minicamp.
First practice observations of 2025 draft class
As the rookies and tryout players took to the practice field for Friday's practice, they broke into position groups to work through individual drills.
The running backs worked through a series of bag drills focused on footwork, and RB Quinshon Judkins and RB Dylan Sampson lined up across from one another to race during a set of bag drills. In another set of drills, they focused on their balance.
The defensive line spent part of their individual drills on sled drills, in which DT Mason Graham received encouragement and instruction from defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire during his rep. They also practiced a series of blocking drills.
"I think individual drills are always really important," Stefanski explained. "I've never been around a defensive line coach or an offensive line coach that gets enough individual time. They always want more. So, this is a great opportunity. Particularly that we're doing these 7-on-7s to have individual time. And you see over there, Jacques (Cesaire) and Coach (Adam) Morris are working these guys really hard and just indoctrinating them to individual. And when I say individual, we're talking about fundamentals and techniques. That's what you're working on in individual. It's the foundation of what we do. So, they have a lot of time to be able to teach our techniques, which always are a little bit different than what they've been doing in the past."
The quarterbacks spent a portion of the individual periods in under center work and in mirror drills, as well as another portion throwing to the pass catchers. Both QB Shedeur Sanders and QB Dillon Gabriel took reps during each portion of the drills.
Following position drills, they also ran through 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 team drills. Both Sanders and Gabriel took reps during each set of drills. Gabriel made a read through traffic and connected with WR Gage Larvadain on a pass. Sanders also connected with Larvadain in traffic.
Sanders later connected with TE Harold Fannin Jr. on a pass down the sideline, which Fannin caught and stayed in bounds. During red zone drills, Gabriel connected with Fannin who was tightly covered for a touchdown.
Check out action of all the Browns rookies from the practice fields at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for rookie minicamp.
The Browns' 2025 Draft Class on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Davin Vann (99) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Iverson Brown (29) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Ty Wise (52) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Tight end Deontay Campbell (40) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham (94) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Christopher Edmonds (41) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Donald Willis (53) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back LaMareon James (27) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Ty Wise (52) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Fullback Peter Montini (33) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (86) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Fullback Peter Montini (33) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back LaMareon James (27) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Malcolm Johnson (82) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Zach Patterson (80) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Kisean Johnson (20) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Macklin Ayers (59) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Cade McDonald (81) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Austin McKinney (36) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham (94) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Trey Dean (28) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham (94) and Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Offensive lineman Lorenzo Thompson (69) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cam'Ron Johnson (68) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Matt Hudson (57) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Davin Vann (99) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Offensive lineman Justin Osborne (62) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Tight end Deontay Campbell (40) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Trey Dean (28) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Offensive lineman Jason Ivey (72) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Christian Ais (35) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Malcolm Johnson (82) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back LaMareon James (27) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Christian Ais (35) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Marcus Haynes (98) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Iverson Brown (29) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Donovan McMillon (31) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Jordan Wright (26) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Tight end John Samuel Shenker (34) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Cade McDonald (81) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Marcus Haynes (98) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (86) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Ralph Holley (63) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Kicker Michael Hughes (92) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Trey Dean (28) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Kicker Michael Hughes (92) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Zach Patterson (80) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Ralph Holley (63) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Christian Ais (35) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Tight end Keshawn Toney (43) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Malcolm Johnson (82) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Cade McDonald (81) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Tight end Mitch Van Vooren (44) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Linebacker Ty Wise (52) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Wide receiver Kisean Johnson (20) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Andrew Siciliano and Running back Dylan Sampson (22) on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
The Browns' 2025 Draft Class on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive back Christian Ais (35) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Punter Avery Book (18) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman John Pius (97) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Defensive lineman Mason Graham (94) during fieldwork on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 9, 2025.
Quarterback competition
With the first day of rookie minicamp complete, it was also the beginning of the competition at quarterback. Both Gabriel and Sanders took reps throughout all the periods, alternating throws in individual drills and with different groups during both 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods.
Stefanski said they included a long 7-on-7 period in the mix of the team drills to maximize reps for both quarterbacks. The idea throughout rookie minicamp is to split the reps between Gabriel and Sanders.
"You may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group. So, we vary it throughout. We're focused more on the totality of this competition," Stefanski said. "I told the players last night, we tell them this – we're evaluating everything they do out on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room. We want to see how they work. So, this is a total evaluation. It's not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It's really all about the body of work."
While it's the first time the two are on the field together in Browns jerseys, Stefanski reiterated they have seen both Gabriel and Sanders throw live during the pre-draft process. They've spent meeting time with both players in settings outside of CrossCountry Mortgage Campus and been through walk through scenarios. They know their individual strengths and what each bring to the quarterback position. Now, they are seeing what they take from the meeting rooms to the practice field.
Yet, seeing the two run through reps and drills on the first day of rookie minicamp, Stefanski said they were "as advertised."
"I thought both guys did a really nice job and there's so much to work on," Stefanski said. "And it's the minutia of the position. It's some technique things. It's the operation needs to get better, all those things. That's why we're here. That's why we're going to work really hard over the next few days to get these guys ready for when they join the veterans on Monday."
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