Anthony Richardson 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Come on, you had to assume my first 2023 NFL Draft profile would be Florida’s Anthony Richardson, right?
It’s no secret that I have a bit of a crush on Richardson. I have been on the Richardson train since the summer when I wrote that he would break out for Florida in 2022. While the full breakout might not have happened, he showed flashes of the elite quarterback he could become. He had a hell of a showing at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine as well, testing out of this world.
With all this being said, let’s get into his draft profile.
Strengths
Let’s start with the frame. At 6-foot-4 and 234 pounds, he is a freight train of a man. It helps he runs a blazing 40-time of 4.43 seconds. His elusiveness in and out of the pocket makes him dangerous. This athleticism will blend seamlessly into the NFL into any number of offensive schemes.
He also has a missile launcher of an arm. He can push the ball downfield with ease and has shown great ability to drop it in the bucket on a consistent basis. His accuracy while on the run is fairly good considering the inconsistencies he shows in the pocket. Such a quick release as well. Always seem to get out passes with tight spirals.
Weaknesses
Let’s address the elephant in the room: accuracy.
Richardson has a major hole in his game right now and that is staying consistent with his passes. Looks super uncomfortable dropping back. His footwork is not ideal and will definitely need to be cleaned up in order to help correct some of these issues.
Going through progressions is something else he must work on in order to succeed at the next level. It’s often hit one receiver, hit the other, then takes off. Also relies on his arm strength to get himself out of bad situations in the pocket, throwing from his back foot quite a bit.
The jury is out on where Anthony Richardson will end up. He is gaining a lot of momentum to be the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which seems absurd. His ideal landing spot, for me, is the Detroit Lions. Richardson needs to sit for a full year before seeing the field, and with the success Jared Goff had last year, they won’t be pushed to make a move right away. Seattle is also a great destination now that they re-signed Geno Smith.
NFL Comparison: Josh Allen, Cam Newton
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