*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Teams Split on Anthony Richardson in Round 1 of 2023 NFL Draft
Updated Dec. 8, 2022By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson announced this week that he would forgo his remaining eligibility and entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Richardson is an interesting prospect who, on one had, has put together some incredible highlights that display feats of speed, strength and athleticism, as well as a cannon for a right arm. Richardson, however, also struggled to complete passes and will enter the NFL having been a 1-year starter who did not have success. WalterFootball.com reached out to NFL team sources to see if they thought that Richardson’s skill set was good enough on it’s own to make him a first-rounder or if his struggles on the field were enough to cause him to slip to the second round. Overall, teams were split on if Richardson would go in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
“Yeah, he’s a tough study,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “I don’t think he goes in the first round. Very talented physical tools, but has no idea how to play the position.”
In 2022, Richardson completed only 54 percent of his passes for 2,549 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he put up 629 yards and nine touchdowns. Richardson was excellent against Utah in the season opener, leading Florida to a comeback win, but he was horrible against Kentucky, costing the Gators a win due to horrible accuracy and turnovers. After playing poorly versus South Florida, Richardson had a huge day taking on Tennessee. Late in the season, Richardson struggled against both Georgia and Florida State.
After Richardson broke the news that he was entering the 2023 NFL Draft, I texted a different AFC director of player personnel, and he responded with a faceplant emoji and said, “That was a mistake. He needs another year.”
A few sources said it was possible that Richardson would go in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft, but they also did not elaborate. The 6-foot-4, 236-pounder has good size and elite arm strength, plus is extremely fast. Some sources said they think Richardson could run a wide receiver-like time – in the 4.4s or low 4.5s – in the 40-yard dash at the combine. They also expect Richardson to look good in the pre-draft workouts thanks to getting to show off his powerful arm in the choreographed setting. That skill set caused three other team sources to vote that they thought Richardson would be a first-round pick.
“He’s a long way from being ready,” said an NFC director of college scouting. “As an athlete, he’s a first-rounder, as a passer, he definitely is not.”
Thus, Richardson could be on the bubble of the first round, but the 2023 NFL Draft process is still in its early stages. His combination of great skill set and bad tape as a passer have him in a fluid situation, but he looks set to end up as a first- or second-round pick next April in the 2023 NFL Draft.
