2023 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty managers, we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In our Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profiles and where they fit. The basis of the rookie profile involves the usage of STORM analysis, focusing on five key components: Situation, Talent, Opportunity, Risk, and Market.
SITUATION
Name: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Position: Quarterback
Pro Team: Cleveland Browns
College Team: UCLA
Draft Status: Round five, 140th overall
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a fifth-year QB prospect from the PAC-12 who capitalized on an extra college season under Chip Kelly. Thompson-Robinson led the Bruins to a 9-4 record in 2022, and the team’s season ended with a Sun Bowl loss to Pitt when Thompson-Robinson got injured. The question for fantasy fans is, what is Thompson-Robinson’s role behind DeShaun Watson in Cleveland?
TALENT
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Combine Results:
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 203 lbs
Arm: 30 ⅝ ”
Hand: 9 ⅞”
40-Yard Dash: 4.56 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.51 Seconds
Vertical Jump: 32.5″
Broad Jump: 10′ 1″
3-Cone Drill: 7.28 Seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.44 Seconds
Thompson-Robinson is an up-and-down player. His strengths show up in his athletic ability and what he can do to create plays outside the pocket. DTR can pick up yardage outside the pocket when the play breaks down, and in Chip Kelly’s offense, he was the perfect signal-caller to run the offense.
While watching the film, I like DTR’s decision-making within the offense. He knows when to use his legs to create and extend while also being able to make timely throws. While he does a good job limiting mistakes, his accuracy has been inconsistent throughout his time in college. He has made some very poor throws under pressure and struggled to consistently hit receivers downfield. A lot of that has to do with poor mechanics, at times throwing off his back foot, and he can be inconsistent with his release.
DTR threw for over 10,000 yards and 80 touchdowns during his playing time at UCLA. He has the athletic ability to play in the NFL and the arm to punish a defense that attempts to creep up against the run game. At this point, he is a more developmental prospect to work on his mechanics and refine his game.
OPPORTUNITY
Cleveland Browns Depth Chart:
Data courtesy of 4for4.com.
So the opportunity situation is not great for DTR. Watson’s massive guaranteed contract has him locked in at the position for the foreseeable future unless the team decides to eat an enormous cap hit.
Kellen Mond and Joshua Dobbs are the other quarterbacks currently on the roster. DTR needs time to refine his mechanics. While it might not be quite the Oregon offense that many remember Kelly for or his brief NFL stint, DTR still needs to learn and improve at reading defenses consistently.
RISK
Data courtesy of Sports Reference.
DTR put his best foot forward in 2022, throwing for collegiate highs in passing yards, touchdowns, and rushing yards. His Sun Bowl performance really showed the highs and lows of his collegiate career as he tossed two touchdowns and ran for another. His three interceptions, though, showed his inconsistent play.
Data courtesy of Sports Reference.
DTR has been a devy darling since his days at the Elite11 QB camp in 2017, competing against Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence. Coming out of powerhouse Bishop-Gorman, he sat behind former top prospect Tate Martell till his senior year. Even with that, he was still a highly regarded prospect.
MARKET
Courtesy of May DLF SF Rookie ADP.
DTR is currently being drafted as the QB7 and 49th pick overall in May Rookie SuperFlex mock drafts over at DLF. Which is a good dart throw in deeper leagues if you have the bench space. Outside of SuperFlex drafts, he has little to no value unless in an extremely deep league.
Courtesy of DLF Trade Analyzer.
Currently, the Trade Analyzer sees little value in DTR. Fantasy owners should treat his situation the same. Unless you are in deeper leagues, keep an eye on him and any possible QB situations in Cleveland.
Overall, DTR is a physically gifted QB who can hang around in the NFL and help a team or fantasy owners if/when given a chance to start. He needs to refine his mechanics, which should help his accuracy and arm strength. As a mobile QB, he will always be able to help a team in a pinch, and time as a developmental prospect will benefit him.
Pete is a Western Washington University (Go Vikings! Undefeated at Football since 2009!) History grad with a doctorate in dynasty football, from a certificate he bought online. He prefers stats and analytics but realizes film grinding is an important part of the process. Dabbles in "Mild Takes" and believes in the process.
