Cleveland Browns select Dorian Thompson-Robinson in fifth round of 2023 NFL Draft
The Cleveland Browns were looking to add an experienced player to their quarterback room this offseason and they did just that in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Browns selected former UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson No. 140 overall in this year’s draft following an illustrious career in Los Angeles.
Thompson-Robinson was a four-star recruit out of high school powerhouse Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was ranked the No. 43 overall player and the No. 4 quarterback in his 2018 recruiting class according to On3’s Industry Rankings, choosing to stay on the west coast and attend UCLA.
He played in all five of his seasons at UCLA and made 48 career starts under center during his career with the Bruins. Thompson-Robinson leaves UCLA as the school’s all-time leader in total offense with 12,536 yards, completions with 860, total touchdowns with 116, touchdown passes with 88, and passing yards with 10,710.
Thompson-Robinson helped lead the Bruins to their best season since 2014, finishing the year with a 9-4 record behind his arms and legs. The dual threat threw for a career high 3,154 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, along with career high rushing numbers with 646 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
He’s made numerous explosive plays with his arm and legs throughout his career from dazzling deep balls to impressive hurdles over defenders. What he lacks in stature he makes up for in experience and big play ability, and it will be interesting to see how his NFL journey unfolds.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Could the the one nicknamed ‘DTR’ end up as a ‘QB1’ at the next level? NFL.com draft analysts Greg Zierlein gave his take on Thompson-Robinson as a prospect, weighing the pros and cons of his game ahead of his NFL career.
“Five-year starter with below-average size, above-average mobility and a recent history of improvement at the position. Thompson-Robinson played in a favorable scheme for quarterbacks, but he also improved as a field-reader over time,” Zierlein said. “While he can extend plays and create opportunities for himself outside of the pocket, he’s at his best when he’s throwing on time and utilizing possession throws as his base. He has lapses in vision and judgment against zone and when pressured, so he must cut down on ill-advised throws. Thompson-Robinson has the potential to find a home as a QB3 with a QB2 ceiling.”