Most people had never heard of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, DTR, before the Browns took the field at the hall of fame game in Canton. But within 4 weeks he had secured his spot on the Browns 53-man roster and earned the QB2 role.
Drafted in the 5th round of the 2023 NFL draft with the 142nd-overall pick, DTR hadn’t registered on many peoples radars. With 10,399 yards passing, 86 touchdowns and 33 interceptions, his was a solid if unspectacular collegiate career. Playing 5-years with the UCLA Bruins, one shortened by Covid-19 in 2020.
PFF ranked DTR as the 7th best QB in the 2023 draft, ranked 149 overall and had this to say “DTR is experienced enough to feel confident that he’s a capable backup with developmental potential.”
DTR SHINES IN PRESEASON
Preseason, also known as overreaction season, gave DTR his chance to show what he was capable of. Completing 37 of 58 (63.8%) for 440 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions he showed the Browns enough to be handed the backup role behind DeShaun Watson. Make no mistake, there is a chasm between the two players.
But, given Watson’s history, and the ever-present injury threat in the NFL, DTR represents a solid backup choice and showed he could run the offense efficiently if called on. Getting a chance to develop behind a QB that can’t be unseated is the ideal spot for him, and he should now get multiple years to grow into an NFL potential-starter.
After the hall-of-fame game, Brown’s Head Coach Kevin Stefanski had this to say “He made some plays with his feet. I felt the route on the touchdown was outstanding, and it was a good read and good throw. He had some really nice moments.”
It’s a long hard slog for a 5th-round QB to make it in the NFL, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson has taken the first steps towards potentially developing a career.
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