Did the Indianapolis Colts Reach for Anthony Richardson?

Did the Colts reach for Anthony Richardson in the 2023 NFL Draft? His physical tools are undeniable, but can they turn him into a franchise quarterback?

The Indianapolis Colts had a revolving door at the quarterback position for several years, and after failing to capitalize off veteran quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan, they needed to find a long-term solution at the position. Heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, the team was rumored to be in the market for Lamar Jackson, but he signed a $260M extension with the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts, therefore, had to address their quarterback need through the draft.

With the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Anthony Richardson, a redshirt sophomore quarterback prospect from Florida Gators. Richardson is listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds and is a dual-threat quarterback with great arm strength and athleticism. His first season as a starter (2022) was full of high-level moments and questionable decision-making, finishing the season with a stat line of 2,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and nine rushing touchdowns.

While Richardson’s arm strength and ability to push the ball down the field are immediately evident, he still has a lot of work to do on his mechanics and accuracy. His inconsistency with ball placement and location can lead to missed throws, incompletions, tipped throws, or interceptions. Richardson is a true project, and he should sit for two seasons to develop his mechanics and accuracy. However, the Colts could become impatient, and throwing him into the fire could lead to disastrous results.

Richardson profiles as a powerful runner with the ability to rip off big runs in the open field or run through defenders to pick up yardage in short-yardage situations. He can also escape the pocket and extend plays, either by delivering the ball down the field or picking up yards by running the football. When it comes to reading coverages and working through progressions, Richardson shows that he can read defenses high to low and is disciplined enough to take the check-down throw underneath when necessary.

While Richardson is a risky pick, his physical tools are highly coveted in a modern NFL dual-threat quarterback. With the right coaching and development, Richardson has the potential to become a franchise quarterback with a sky-high ceiling. The Colts get cool points for addressing a need, but they should be patient and not rush Richardson’s development. This felt like a trendy pick in terms of wanting the next Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, but neither was picked No. 4 overall.