Dorian Thompson-Robinson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 203lbs.
School: UCLA
2023 NFL Draft: Dorian Thompson-Robinson Scouting Report
Five years after the highly touted high school dual-threat quarterback committed to UCLA, Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a good chance to make a role for himself at the next level. In 2022, the Bruins starter set multiple career marks with 27 passing touchdowns, 3,169 passing yards, and most notably, a 69.6% completion. Not to mention, Thompson-Robinson also added 12 rushing touchdowns and 645 rushing yards on the ground. In other words – this is a quarterback who executed former NFL Head Coach Chip Kelly’s offense perfectly at the college level.
This past season was the chef’s kiss of his collegiate career, as Thompson-Robinson put on full display why the team stuck behind his development for five seasons. Prior to, he had never had a completion percentage higher than 65.2%, nor had he thrown for over 2,750 passing yards in a season. With over 10,000 passing yards, 1,800 rushing yards, and 116 total touchdowns, the Las Vegas native is a true x-factor in an offense.
Strengths
- Great accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws
- Works through progressions well, extends plays outside of the pocket
- Plus athleticism on full display when rushing the football
- Mobility that can translate to the NFL
- Excellent velocity on passes
- Improved year-to-year with Chip Kelly’s guidance
Weaknesses
- Underwhelming deep ball with accuracy issues downfield and outside the hashes
- Ill-advised throws are an issue when under pressure
- When out of rhythm, decision-making becomes questionable
- Below average size for a pro-dual-threat quarterback
- Pocket awareness must improve as he will escape the pocket before play can fully develop
NFL Comparison: More-mobile Tyler Huntley
Teams With Need at Position: Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals
Projection: Sixth-Round Pick
Bottom Line on Dorian Thompson-Robinson:
Look, Dorian Thompson-Robinson is not near the level of NFL-ready talent as the top quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he offers a skillset that any team in the modern-day offense can find a role for. The UCLA product is a phenomenal athlete who ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and a class-leading 1.51 10-yard split at the NFL Combine. Built with a similar frame to that of Tyler Huntley, Thompson-Robinson’s mobility should translate even more so than Huntley’s to the pro game.
As for Thompson-Robinson’s ability as a passer, he is a developmental prospect. While his dual-threat capabilities are enticing, he needs to learn to stick to his progressions and step up in the pocket. He’s missed opportunities from escaping the pocket and running too early. This works in the college game but won’t in the NFL. If his pocket awareness can improve, as well as his decision-making under pressure, Thompson-Robinson is a backup quarterback in this league. Otherwise, he is a gadget player on offense to use in certain packages.
Taking the fact that Dorian Thompson-Robinson is 23 years old, and showed steady improvement under Chip Kelly, it is easy to see why countless teams have met with him in the pre-draft prospect. As a rookie, Thompson-Robinson may not see much action as he sits and learns. As a matter of fact, it makes take a few seasons during his rookie contract to truly develop into at least a quality NFL backup quarterback. But it is hard to envision a world where without the right coaching, Thompson-Robinson’s athleticism paired with his development as a passer won’t find a role in the modern-day NFL offense.
Main Photo: GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NETWORK
