Colts draft QB Anthony Richardson - Round 1, Pick 4

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Colts take the QB from Florida.

https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/1651747514456915968

The Colts are taking Florida QB Anthony Richardson.

https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/1651747976585281536

Two clues that Indy could go this way ...

1) Colts coach Shane Steichen's template with Jalen Hurts would work with Anthony Richardson developmentally.

2) Colts GM Chris Ballard (who helped the Chiefs earmark Pat Mahomes) is a notoriously traits-happy scout.

https://twitter.com/KBowen1070/status/1651747597776764928

Per Albert Breer, the Colts take QB Anthony Richardson (Florida) at No. 4.

Oozing talent. Relying on Shane Steichen to develop that accuracy.

And, finally, the Colts are on the QB path needed to build something long-term

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1651748512080461825

Time will tell, but I love the gamble: This is the Colts betting on Shane Steichen's ability to develop a young quarterback. Richardson is just 20 years old and has so much ahead of him.

https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/status/1651748836908445696

Going from Matt Ryan to Anthony Richardson has to be one of the most dramatic athleticism upgrades in NFL history

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1651750692137172994

Jim Irsay's long wanted a more mobile quarterback, a player who could scare defenses in multiple ways, and he just landed perhaps the most athletically gifted quarterback prospect ever.

Richardson and Jonathan Taylor in the same backfield could be a lot of fun.

[Dam8610]

Not Levis is good enough. Hate that Stroud and Anderson are Texans.

[Racehorse]

Not Levis is good enough. Hate that Stroud and Anderson are Texans.
You are still alive? Figured you had slit your wrists by now.

[nate505]

Fantastic! He can definitely bust, but his physical tools are just so fucking elite, and he just seems like a real solid guy. I'm thrilled.

[Racehorse]

Fantastic! He can definitely bust, but his physical tools are just so fucking elite, and he just seems like a real solid guy. I'm thrilled.

Could convert to WR, TE, RB, if he busts at QB.

[Coltsalr]

I like it better than I did Levis.

That’s the most I’ll say.

[Puck]

I love it. this is gonna be a fun team to watch for a change

[omahacolt]

love the fucking pick


could be terrible but could be amazing. going to hope for amazing. the only qb in the draft that has that upside

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Ballard + Steichen talking about Richardson:


https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651751079430832130

Chris Ballard on Richardson: "We like what he can be." ... "We drafted him for what we think he can really be in the future. He's a smart kid, he works."

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651751212281102336

Ballard said it got a little tense at 3, "any time you've targeted a guy, you get worried about somebody laying in the weeds."

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651751435766231043

Ballard: "He's young, but he's very poised. I think you see it when he plays. He's a very poised young man."

Says he watched all of the times Richardson was blitzed, that's what convinced him.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651751656088805379

Steichen: "The development of players comes with more experience."

Sounds like Colts aren't necessarily stashing him on the bench to develop.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651751875111186433

Ballard on the accuracy question: "I think we're seeing it in the league now, you can work on footwork and fundamentals, and they can make a jump in the league."

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651752662910619650

Ballard says Morocco Brown was texting him from Florida's practice field in August, saying he couldn't believe the show he was seeing.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1651754090374782976

Ballard says the Colts did talk to Arizona about the possibility of trading up.

[rm1369]

love the fucking pick


could be terrible but could be amazing. going to hope for amazing. the only qb in the draft that has that upside

Exactly. QB is such a driver in the league I either want a star or a dud, and that perfectly describes AR. An OK QB is the worst place to be. I love the pick. Seems like a genuinely good guy too. Easy to root for.

[Butter]

It will be exciting I am sure, the bust potential is high, but all the top 4 QBS seemed to have a lot of questions, so I guess I am ok with taking the BQB at 4.

[ChoppedWood]

Delighted by the pick. Said a long time ago this was who I thought we should go after. He is the modern day NFL prototype and we now have a modern day coach to lead him. Love the combo!

That first INT though, we may need to be looking at a release and possible HC change!

[Dam8610]

This is such a Ballard pick. He values traits almost to a fault. Hopefully Steichen can get the best out of him.

[Coltsalr]

This is such a Ballard pick. He values traits almost to a fault. Hopefully Steichen can get the best out of him.

Agree with this but don’t agree with your Stroud man-crush.

We’re all gonna have to hope for the best.

I am talking myself into this. Slowly.

[daedge]

love the fucking pick


could be terrible but could be amazing. going to hope for amazing. the only qb in the draft that has that upside

I just hope Colts fans can show some patience. There's going be growing pains.

Agree, love the pick.

[CletusPyle]

The possibility that this guy could be an absolute beast, was just too much to pass up. I don't like the idea of a QB taking all the hits, but his size is one of his strengths, he is going to run the ball, a lot! I prefer my QBs handing it off or passing it, but you have to use this guy to your advantage...he isn't coming here to be a pocket passer!

Just hope he isn't injured every season!

[JAFF]

This is such a Ballard pick. He values traits almost to a fault. Hopefully Steichen can get the best out of him.

If Richardson is coachable, its a great choice. He wont fail athletically.

[albany ed]

I feel any of the 4 QBs could flourish or fail. It's so hard to tell. More top notch QB draft choices don't pan out than the ones that do. I think Minshew will start the season and then we'll see. Not looking forward to a really good team until 2024.

[ChaosTheory]

I feel any of the 4 QBs could flourish or fail. It's so hard to tell. More top notch QB draft choices don't pan out than the ones that do. I think Minshew will start the season and then we'll see. Not looking forward to a really good team until 2024.

Maybe, but it sounds like Steichen is a baptism by fire kind of guy. Made it seem like he thought Richardson needs to play to get better.

[Oldcolt]

This isn't 1978, Richardson will start early. Why not? He needs to play and won't improve as much sitting on the sideline. It is going to be exciting watching him develop (I hope). I will just have to remind myself to be patient.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

This is such a Ballard pick. He values traits almost to a fault. Hopefully Steichen can get the best out of him.


Yeah, Richardson definitely has the traits and physical abilities.

Anthony rolled up an amazing RAS Score: 10.0 out of 10.0.

From 1987 to 2023, there have been 916 QB's rated on this scale. Richardson is ranked 1st out of the 916.

Now let's see if this will translate to a NFL football field.


https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=15208&ovl=Florida

[Lov2fish]

Wasn't my pick, but definitely on board. There is no denying his freakish athletic ability. Lets see if Steichen can get it moving. Hurts made huge strides in 2 years under him. Future is bright if they tap his potential! No matter what, I'll bet the Colts are fun to watch again!

[nate505]

I just hope Colts fans can show some patience. There's going be growing pains.

Agree, love the pick.

He'll need to make some of those absurdly athletic plays to keep fans invested, but I think he'll be able to pull that off.

Eventually though, if he keeps failing on simple plays it won't matter much. Hopefully he can do the absurdly athletic plays and keep showing improvement on the regular stuff.

[Chromeburn]

https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7/status/1651683472061132813?s=46&t=FvKeTlgkL8ardaxv32vrGQ

Orlavsky breaks down his accuracy issue.

[Dam8610]

https://twitter.com/danorlovsky7/status/1651683472061132813?s=46&t=FvKeTlgkL8ardaxv32vrGQ

Orlavsky breaks down his accuracy issue.

Between this and JT O'Sullivan's breakdowns of Richardson, I'm starting to feel like he may be able to develop into an accurate QB in the NFL and may not need very long to sit. I still think it would be better to sit him a year and let him learn Mahomes style, but if he were to be pressed into action midseason, it may not ruin his development.

[ChaosTheory]

Between this and JT O'Sullivan's breakdowns of Richardson, I'm starting to feel like he may be able to develop into an accurate QB in the NFL and may not need very long to sit. I still think it would be better to sit him a year and let him learn Mahomes style, but if he were to be pressed into action midseason, it may not ruin his development.

Personally, unless you've got a solid guy you can win with like KC with Smith or GB with Favre, I don't care for sitting young guys. I'm sure I'm biased from watching Manning, but throw these kids in the fire.

You'll either expedite their evolution and improvement or expedite the realization that they don't have the ability or mettle that you need from your QB so you can move on.

[Dam8610]

Personally, unless you've got a solid guy you can win with like KC with Smith or GB with Favre, I don't care for sitting young guys. I'm sure I'm biased from watching Manning, but throw these kids in the fire.

You'll either expedite their evolution and improvement or expedite the realization that they don't have the ability or mettle that you need from your QB so you can move on.

If those outcomes are Zach Wilson vs. Patrick Mahomes?

[IndyNorm]

Personally, unless you've got a solid guy you can win with like KC with Smith or GB with Favre, I don't care for sitting young guys. I'm sure I'm biased from watching Manning, but throw these kids in the fire.

You'll either expedite their evolution and improvement or expedite the realization that they don't have the ability or mettle that you need from your QB so you can move on.

Different situation since Peyton had been starting since ~halfway through his freshman year. I'm sure they'll do so, but Steichen and Co. need to make sure Richardson is ready and not rush him out too early to disastrous results which could kill his confidence. They also need to make sure they have the OL fixed, so our long term guy doesn't get killed.

[IndyNorm]

If those outcomes are Zach Wilson vs. Patrick Mahomes?

Zach Wilson has been such a disaster that the Jets could have sat him for 10 seasons and he'd probably still suck.

[ChaosTheory]

If those outcomes are Zach Wilson vs. Patrick Mahomes?

Different situation since Peyton had been starting since ~halfway through his freshman year. I'm sure they'll do so, but Steichen and Co. need to make sure Richardson is ready and not rush him out too early to disastrous results which could kill his confidence. They also need to make sure they have the OL fixed, so our long term guy doesn't get killed.

Well, yeah. I mean, I think this comes down to a Rorschach of sorts because it's not provable. I see Rivers, Rodgers, and Mahomes sit behind good/great vets and then go on to be all-time greats themselves and I don't attribute it to the headset.

Like I mentioned, those guys were on teams that were playoff competitors and the vet in front of them gave the team the best shot. If circumstances were different, I think those guys all could've started playing immediately and even if things were rough, gained valuable in-game experience and would not have crumbled.

Some guys do crumble and I'd want to know sooner.

[Oldcolt]

I am watching more of ARs tape. The guy has an amazing pocket presence, his movement within the pocket is beautiful; his eyes never leave downfield (he doesn't seem to be the slightest afraid of the pass rush and doesn't need to look to know where it is coming from). In a conference with Mahomes, Burrow, Allen and Lawrence (sorry Dam) you have very little chance if you don't have your own freak at QB. AR isn't there yet but he will be. The guy has intangibles and a great work ethic. He is moving his entire family to Indianapolis to support and keep him on track. If his head is screwed on like it seems to be he will be making 60 million in a few years. This could be a really fun ride. As far as his shitty completion rate A) he dealt with numerous drops from a receiving group that has zero NFL caliber receivers and B) if just two more completions per game had occurred his completion rate would have been 61%. It isn't that big of a deal in a kid who has only 13 starts.

[omahacolt]

I am watching more of ARs tape. The guy has an amazing pocket presence, his movement within the pocket is beautiful; his eyes never leave downfield (he doesn't seem to be the slightest afraid of the pass rush and doesn't need to look to know where it is coming from). In a conference with Mahomes, Burrow, Allen and Lawrence (sorry Dam) you have very little chance if you don't have your own freak at QB. AR isn't there yet but he will be. The guy has intangibles and a great work ethic. He is moving his entire family to Indianapolis to support and keep him on track. If his head is screwed on like it seems to be he will be making 60 million in a few years. This could be a really fun ride. As far as his shitty completion rate A) he dealt with numerous drops from a receiving group that has zero NFL caliber receivers and B) if just two more completions per game had occurred his completion rate would have been 61%. It isn't that big of a deal in a kid who has only 13 starts.his pocket presence was the first thing that made me really like his upside.

[Luck4Reich]

Richardson and Taylor back there will keep DCs up at night IMO

[smitty46953]

Richardson and Taylor back there will keep DCs up at night IMO

Hope Taylor's health has gotten back to normal. :cool:

[Hoopsdoc]

his pocket presence was the first thing that made me really like his upside.

His pocket presence is elite. He feels the rush more than he sees it.

I’m not saying he’ll be great but that’s a trait ALL the great ones have.