Why Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is among the NFL’s most intriguing participant to observe in 2024

Three quarterbacks have been taken within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, with wildly completely different rookie seasons for every. Prime total decide Bryce Younger had a disastrous first 12 months with the Carolina Panthers, whereas second decide C.J. Stroud flourished with the Houston Texans on his technique to successful Offensive Rookie of the 12 months and an AFC Divisional Spherical look. Whereas Younger is searching for massive enchancment beneath new coach Dave Canales, Stroud is a preseason MVP candidate on a reliable Tremendous Bowl contender.

Then there’s the No. 4 total choice: Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts. Arguably essentially the most polarizing quarterback of the draft, the 22-year-old’s rookie marketing campaign sadly resulted in early October.

Between his lone season as a starter on the College of Florida and his handful of begins with the Colts, there’s nonetheless scant information on whether or not or not the predominantly NFL Mix-fueled hype surrounding Richardson is warranted. He’s an interesting case examine in “instruments over productiveness.” Whereas Richardson’s faculty stats weren’t overly spectacular on an in any other case unremarkable Gators staff, his bodily traits have been, to cite Robert Palmer, “merely irresistible.”

What can we draw from his restricted NFL pattern dimension?

Richardson’s NFL stats: 50-of-84 (59.5%) for 577 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 misplaced fumble, 7 sacks taken; 25 carries for 136 yards, 4 speeding touchdowns

Sturdiness is an actual query mark

Richardson began 4 video games however solely accomplished one. Within the closing sequence of his debut towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, he left with a bruised knee. A concussion in Week 2 towards the Houston Texans brought on him to overlook Week 3, whereas an AC joint sprain in Week 5 versus the Tennessee Titans marked the tip of his season. All three accidents have been sustained whereas operating the ball.

At Florida, Richardson didn’t miss a lot precise recreation time in his closing 12 months in faculty, though he tore his meniscus towards Florida State again in 2021 and underwent surgical procedure. Different minor knocks took him out of two video games, and he harm his knee whereas dancing (no, critically). Whereas it’s untimely to declare Richardson injury-prone, his well being goes to be among the many many subplots of Richardson’s second season.

The Colts offense was not constant, nevertheless it was explosive

On the time of the Los Angeles Rams recreation (his solely full begin to date), Richardson led the NFL in explosive play charge (12+yard rushes and 20+yard passes). The Rams efficiency epitomizes the highs and lows of the Colts offense beneath Richardson. 5 of his 11 completions have been explosive performs, together with this outrageous deep move to receiver Alec Pierce as he was being corralled by Aaron Donald.

However scattered across the explosives have been big lulls. Previous to Richardson’s fourth quarter heroics that turned a 23-8 gap right into a 23-23 tie, the Rams held the Colts offense to three.7 yards per play, 8 first downs, and Richardson was simply 5-of-14 passing.

In his debut versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts had a markedly conservative gameplan and scored 14 offensive factors on 14 drives. As Stampede Blue’s Jay Robins famous, although, Richardson was far more aggressive along with his downfield passing after Week 1.

Accuracy stays a problem

One of many purple flags relating to Richardson’s skillset was his accuracy, having accomplished lower than 55 % of his throws in faculty. For as clean and easy as his throwing movement appears, having an awfully highly effective arm means nothing with out constant goal or management.

On intermediate passes (10-19 yards past the road of scrimmage), Richardson was simply 9-of-19 for 173 yards, 1 landing, and 1 interception, per PFF. His 52.6 adjusted completion proportion (which accounts for drops) ranked barely above Kenny Pickett and Tommy DeVito.

On this 12 months’s preseason finale towards the Cincinnati Bengals, Richardson began 7-of-8 with a landing, solely to complete 1-of-6 the remainder of the night time with a pick-six thrown, inflicting Kirk Herbstreit to create a QB controversy out of skinny air between him and Joe Flacco.

Overthrows have been a famous drawback for Richardson in faculty and the erratic throws have continued within the execs.

Richardson is a severe purple zone speeding menace

It’s not regular for somebody of Richardson’s dimension (6’4 and 244 lbs) to have 4.43-second velocity within the 40-yard sprint. Richardson didn’t put up gaudy stats on restricted makes an attempt (17 carries for 100 yards on designed rushes), however he did turn into the primary rookie quarterback to hurry for a landing in his first three begins. His energy and acceleration make him extremely harmful within the open subject.

Richardson had six designed carries within the purple zone, scoring 4 instances. Solely Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts had extra purple zone speeding touchdowns amongst quarterbacks.

What might change in 2024?

Colts head coach Shane Steichen stated this previous June about whether or not or not the staff would restrict Richardson’s operating this season, “Are you gonna restrict Steph Curry from taking pictures 3-pointers?” The previous Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator had large success guiding Jalen Hurts to MVP runner-up in 2022, and that’s what makes his partnership with Richardson so tantalizing.

It’s price stating that the Colts additionally didn’t have star operating again Jonathan Taylor for seven video games final 12 months on account of a contract holdout and accidents. Taylor’s return coincided with the tip of Richardson’s season. The Colts nonetheless completed eighth in rush DVOA (per FTN Fantasy) regardless of the extended absences of each males. With one of many higher traces within the league, anticipate Steichen to make heavy use of Richardson and Taylor in read-option and run-pass choices in his playbook. Behind that OL, there’s each motive to suppose Richardson might be an integral a part of an elite speeding assault, and he’ll lastly have the companies of one of many prime operating backs within the league.

The ceiling of the Colts offense, nevertheless, finally hinges upon Richardson’s rocket proper arm. He’s not but a refined sufficient passer to be much less reliant on his scrambling and designed runs. Indy’s entrance workplace sought to enhance the extensive receiver group by drafting Adonai ‘AD’ Mitchell within the second spherical. He offers the Colts a deep menace and velocity component that prime possibility Michael Pittman Jr. lacks, and his spectacular preseason may even see him shortly overtake the inconsistent Alec Pierce when it comes to goal share. Josh Downs has been injured and can miss Week 1 towards the Houston Texans, however the second-year participant from North Carolina had a productive rookie season and figures to be a high quality slot possibility for Richardson.

Pre-draft (and even post-draft), Richardson drew frequent comparisons to Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen, who was equally terrific on the mix, had issues about his accuracy, decision-making, and throwing mechanics at Wyoming, but additionally had much more collegiate expertise than Richardson. After a shaky first two seasons within the execs, Allen has considerably improved his accuracy and is now a perennial MVP candidate (even when nonetheless scrutinized for his turnovers).

With simply 18 begins since highschool, it’s extra affordable than to not anticipate a wholesome, full-season Richardson to have rising pains, very like Allen did. There’s definitely no assure that he’ll develop as shortly or efficiently as Allen. Nevertheless, along with his particular person expertise, the offensive expertise round him, and Steichen’s inventive schemes, he’s effectively positioned to succeed sooner reasonably than later.

The Colts aren’t projected to issue within the AFC playoff image, but when Richardson is ready to clear up a few of his greatest flaws and maximize his biggest strengths, Indy might go a step additional after narrowly lacking final 12 months’s playoffs with Minshew on the helm. On the very least, Richardson must be extraordinarily entertaining to observe, and his growth is why he’s must-see TV for this season and past.