The Philadelphia Eagles, also known as The QB Factory, acquired a new quarterback on Monday in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
Let’s learn more about Dorian Thompson-Robinson by getting a Browns perspective on him. Here’s what Jared Mueller of Dawgs By Nature had to say about DTR through answers to my questions.
1 – Can you recap his time with the Browns?
Thompson-Robinson burst on the scene in training camp and preseason games as a rookie. Some fanbases wanted their teams to trade a Day 2 pick before DTR had seen the field in a regular season game. In general, everything after that was downhill. He was thrown in to start a game as a rookie without being properly prepared that week to start and showed a complete lack of trust in what he was seeing with his eyes. Despite more experience and playing time, that hasn’t changed much in his first two seasons.
2 – DTR’s stats are really bad (1 career touchdown to 11 career giveaways). How much of that is him and how much of that is a function of a poor supporting cast? Do you think he could be better with more help in Philly?
Given the failures in Cleveland and the success in Philadelphia, its easy to assume DTR can turn things around there. In many ways, building his confidence and simplifying things will help dramatically. Despite that optimism, the Eagles should not currently trust Thompson-Robinson as their primary backup going into the season. Sadly, his stats are fitting his play on the field with the Browns.
3 – What are his strengths?
Can be elusive, has a strong arm on short to intermediate passes over the middle and works very hard.
4 – What are his weaknesses?
A lot are noted above, especially around timing and pocket presence, but his lack of arm strength is obvious. His size and slim build doesn’t allow him to drive the football to the outside or down the field.
5 – Anything to know about him off the field?
Great character guy, loved by teammates, leader and fun personality. A relative (I believe it’s his mother) will like every social media post that includes him.
BLG’s take: DTR will probably be the Eagles’ third quarterback in 2025. If that’s the case, he’ll only be eligible to play if both Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee are unavailable. So, the Eagles will hope that he doesn’t have to play at all in the regular season. It will be interesting to see if he can show anything in training camp practices and the preseason games. The Eagles acquiring DTR doesn’t preclude them from taking a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft if the value/fit is there. Perhaps more likely they’ll sign an undrafted passer to “compete” with DTR for the QB3 role.
Highlights:
College scouting report:
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. 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.
Spider graph:
