Colts Select Florida QB Anthony Richardson in Todd McShay’s Latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft

In line with ESPN’s Todd McShay (subscription), the Indianapolis Colts will choose Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson with the 4th total choose in his latest 2023 NFL Mock Draft (*which simply adopted the Chicago Bears’ blockbuster commerce of the No. 1 total choose to the Carolina Panthers):

4. Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

It’s time for a long-term resolution at QB for the Colts, contemplating no crew scored fewer factors than Indianapolis (15.8 per recreation) final season, the crew’s fifth straight season with a brand new Week 1 starter beneath middle. And the Richardson hype practice is simply hitting full steam, plowing via Indianapolis final week. mix outcomes since 2006, he posted the very best quarterback vertical (40.5 inches) and broad leap (10-foot-9) after which rolled out a scorching 4.43-second 40, which tied for the fourth-fastest time on the place over that span. Richardson capped off his massive day by showcasing his enormous arm within the throwing parts of the exercise.

His bodily traits are thrilling, and if coach Shane Steichen can work with him on his footwork and accuracy, the sky’s the ceiling. On one hand, Richardson threw 17 landing passes — together with three of 40-plus air yards — and rushed for an FBS QB-high 6.4 yards per carry in 2022. On the opposite, he accomplished 54.7% of his throws over 13 profession begins. The upside comes with danger, and I do suppose he would possibly want extra time to develop earlier than taking on as an NFL starter — which implies the Colts could possibly be energetic within the QB free agent market, too. But when the 6-4, 244-pound signal-caller can put all of it collectively, signal me up for big-time throws to Michael Pittman Jr. and highlight-reel runs on Sundays in Indy.

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The listed 6’4” 232 pound redshirt sophomore accomplished 176 of 327 cross makes an attempt (53.8%) for two,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions throughout 12 begins for the Gators in 2022. He additionally amassed 654 speeding yards and 9 speeding touchdowns on the bottom.

Having simply blown up on the NFL Mix—much more than initially anticipated, there’s no query that Richardson is essentially the most athletically gifted quarterback of anybody on this yr’s draft class (and actually, he’s up there with any quarterback traditionally all-time). His potential and upside is solely monumental on the subsequent stage, as he might change into an NFL celebrity.

That being mentioned, not with out vital danger.

With restricted beginning expertise and nonetheless clearly growing as a passer, Richardson stays a bit uncooked throwing the soccer, so there’s nonetheless a reasonably low flooring right here—as he could be the final ‘increase or bust prospect’ of any quarterback prospect on this yr’s NFL Draft.

As McShay mentions, he must additional refine his footwork and accuracy, however that’s one thing that may be improved upon with good teaching and a few improvement time.

Nevertheless, along with his rocket launcher of an arm, Richardson has additionally proven surprisingly sturdy pocket presence for such a younger and inexperienced beginning quarterback. He additionally has the distinctive improvisation and playmaking skill to flee pocket strain and prolong performs.

His particular skill as a runner is properly documented, as he demonstrates vision, speed, strength, and explosiveness in the open field, as simply the very best dual-threat quarterback popping out on this yr’s draft class (and actually in latest reminiscence).

If new Colts head coach Shane Steichen is hoping to search out his subsequent ‘Jalen Hurts,’ then Richardson is well the best choice—as he can tailor a dynamic speeding offense that together with star operating again Jonathan Taylor within the backfield, options RPOs, play-action, and many others. that can maintain defenses guessing, off-balance, and make the Colts very tough to cease on the bottom (*assuming they’ll shore up beginning proper guard). He has the arm power to stop opposing defenses from stacking the field too, as he could make them pay downfield in the event that they’re not staying sincere.

Even when it requires some preliminary persistence (and maybe rising pains within the passing recreation), Richardson has the youth, athleticism, and upside to finally be a High 5 beginning quarterback within the NFL, and if there’s a ‘hill to die on’ amongst all the very best quarterback prospects this yr, that’s not essentially a nasty one to guess on all issues thought-about.

Fairly frankly, he’d be a fantastic choose at #4, particularly if each Alabama’s Bryce Younger and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are already off the board for the Colts. If the Colts are going to swing, they might as properly swing massive and for the fences—as Richardson can finally be an elite franchise QB.