Be careful reaching for Anthony Richardson in re-draft leagues
I know you are looking for the rookie quarterback that’s going to come in and immediately take the league by storm or, more specifically, light the fantasy world on fire. We’ve seen it in years past with rookie QBs like Lamar Jackson or even Joe Burrow. They come in the first year and give you production that can win you your league depending on where you drafted them. This year many people think that is Anthony Richardson, with some people stupidly thinking he has as high as a QB1 ceiling.
But I’m here to tell everyone to slow their roll on Richardson and claim him as the fantasy savior for quarterbacks. The truth is, I still don’t know how I feel about Anthony Richardson. The athleticism is clearly there and will be a useful tool for him in the NFL.
But athleticism alone won’t keep your job as a starting quarterback, and I’m still not sure if he has what it takes as a passer to make it long terms. He showed flashes while at Florida, but also showed a tendency to get inaccurate and too reliant on his legs.
Sure, you can get away with being faster and more athletic than someone in college. But in the NFL, that doesn’t fly and if he can’t sling it, he won’t be in the league long.
Richardson highlights similarities to Josh Allen. Both are bigger-statured guys, who are still very athletic with some polishing needed in terms of accuracy. I also note this because as Michael Lombardi pointed out, Allen’s first season was not a very good one.
Now Allen has since become a lot better and will seemingly be the franchise guy in Buffalo. But that didn’t happen because he suddenly became more athletic. His athleticism was always there, but becoming more effective as a passer allowed him to better utilize his legs–something that Anthony Richardson will have to do if he wants to have the success many people think he will have.
The other issue I have with taking Richardson too high is the weapons he will have. We’re not sure if Jonathan Taylor will end up playing come Week 1. But even with Taylor playing, this offense still leaves a lot to be desired, which could likely cause Richardson to feel like he has to play hero ball which could really hurt his fantasy stock.
Guys like him tend to take too many hits for my liking and it makes me scared to draft him in any league I will be in.
I know we’re all looking for the next best thing to win us our leagues. I’m saying I don’t think it’s going to end up being Anthony Richardson. If you can get him late in a draft as a backup, I think that’s a perfect spot for him.
But if you take him expecting him to be your QB1 for the entire season, I think you are going to end up disappointed, but you are even dumber if you’re one of those idiots thinking he will finish top 5. He doesn’t have the weapons or the makeup in my opinion to achieve that tall task.
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