Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. At a time when so many franchises are desperate at the position, the 6-foot-4 passer has an increasing shot at being a first-round pick.
Richardson entered the season with a lot of hype, viewed as one of the most talented quarterbacks in college football. In a matchup against Utah with NFL scouts in attendance, he rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns, tacking on a 70.8% completion rate with 168 passing yards.
- Anthony Richardson career stats: 3,105 passing yards, 24-15 TD-INT, 133.6 QB rating
The performance started creating a buzz that Richardson could be in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, challenging Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. However, his inexperience and lack of development showed throughout the remainder of the year.
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While the Gators finished with a 6-7 record and their quarterback didn’t take the massive leap evaluators wanted to see, it’s clear his physical tools are still generating a lot of interest from NFL teams.
Returning from the Senior Bowl, Jeff Howe of The Athletic shared from a team executive that Richardson is firmly in the mix to be a first-round pick. He noted that scouts and talent evaluators were really impressed by Richardson’s rushing ability and there is a belief he can become a high-end quarterback when his passing mechanics are refined.
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It seems to be a similar sentiment shared by multiple teams. An NFL scout told Ben Solak of The Ringer that Richardson belongs in the conversation for the top quarterback prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. While there are still several months ahead in the pre-draft process, the buzz around Richardson seems to be building.
- Anthony Richardson rushing stats (career): 1,116 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 6.9 ypc
The 21-year-old is still viewed as a project. Reports surfaced in December that several teams believe Richardson will need two years to develop before he has a shot at becoming a viable starting quarterback.
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Even if Richardson isn’t NFL-ready as a passer, the right play-caller at the next level could likely find a role for him as a rookie. The combination of his size and speed makes him a threat in open space and he could have plays designed for him in his first NFL season.
In a draft class where all the top quarterbacks have concerns – Bryce Young (height), Will Levis (inconsistency, production) and C.J. Stroud (system, issues vs pressure) – Richardson’s ceiling is the highest in the 2023 NFL Draft. If he lands in the right spot and is given time, he could be one of the next great dual-threat NFL quarterbacks.
