Cleveland Browns Select UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson in NFL Draft
The Bruins’ all-time leading passer is on his way to a notable destination for signal-callers.
The Cleveland Browns selected UCLA football quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson with the No. 140 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday. Thompson-Robinson is the third Bruin to come off the board, joining Seattle Seahawks second rounder Zach Charbonnet and Arizona Cardinals fourth rounder Jon Gaines II.
The Browns currently have Deshaun Watson as their starter, although the former Pro Bowler missed the entire 2021 season and most of 2022 while facing sexual assault allegations. Watson is under contract for five more seasons, but they did lose backup Jacoby Brissett in free agency earlier this offseason.
Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond are also in Cleveland’s quarterback room.
Over the years, the Browns have built a reputation for drafting quarterbacks who fizzle out, from Brady Quinn to Deshone Kizer and Baker Mayfield. Those prospects were higher picks, though, and were typically thrust into starting jobs with mountainous expectations hitting them right as they arrived.
Earlier in the draft, the Browns took Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round, Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika in the fourth round, Ohio State offensive lineman Dawand Jones in the fourth round and Missouri defensive end Isaiah McGuire in the fourth round.
Thompson-Robinson's stock heading into the weekend was somewhat nebulous, with mock drafts having him go everywhere from the fourth round to the seventh.
The 23-year-old is coming off a standout super senior year, in addition to an intriguing journey through the pre-draft process. After putting together a few highlights at the East-West Shrine Bowl, Thompson-Robinson set a new NFL Scouting Combine record when he threw a pass 62 miles per hour, and he was also among the event's fastest quarterbacks with a 4.56-second 40-yard dash.
Thompson-Robinson spent five seasons at UCLA, breaking most of the school's career records in the process. Across 50 appearances and 48 starts, Thompson-Robinson racked up 10,710 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns and 36 interceptions on 63.3% completion with a 145.6 passer rating, plus 1,826 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns.
The Bruins went 25-23 when Thompson-Robinson started, compared to 2-6 without him.
Without missing a single start in 2022, Thompson-Robinson went for 3,169 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air with 10 interceptions, a 69.6% completion percentage and a 157.4 passer rating. The dual-threat prospect also added 645 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground while leading his team to its first postseason top 25 ranking since 2014.
Thompson-Robinson is the first UCLA quarterback drafted since Josh Rosen went No. 10 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. Before that, the Green Bay Packers ended a 16-year drought for Bruin signal-callers when they picked Brett Hundley No. 147 overall in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
Waiting for Thompson-Robinson in Cleveland is former UCLA running back and wide receiver Demetric Felton. The pair played together from 2018 to 2020.
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