SEC Football Way-Too-Early 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida QB Anthony Richardson
By Ryan Broyles
The 2022 college football season is as important for Anthony Richardson as any player in all of SEC Football. Some believe Richardson can capitalize on his opportunity as the Gators starting quarterback and can become a top ten prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Look no further to see our scouting report on the dynamic Anthony Richardson.
SEC Football Way-Too-Early 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Positives
Richardson has a tantalizing skill set that has yet to be fully unlocked. The first thing that pops on tape is that Richardson has outrageous arm talent. Richardson can stroke the ball with power all over the football field. You don’t get a nickname like AR-15 if you don’t have a cannon.
You take a step back, and you immediately notice that Richardson is simply a physical freak. Standing at 6’4, weighing 238 lbs. – Richardson has prototypical size for a quarterback at the NFL level.
Richardson timed at a 4.5 flat 40 time making these measurements even more impressive. The size/speed combination that Richardson brings to the table has NFL scouts enthralled.
Richardson can also throw a nice deep ball and stretches the field not just with his arm strength, but he layers the ball nicely. Richardson has shown the type of pocket presence to allow the play to develop down the field.
Negatives
As excited as we are about Richardson’s potential, he remains a projection, and a raw one. Richardson has shown some mental mistakes that have resulted in turnovers that raise a red flag.
Richardson relies on his superb athleticism to evade danger and ‘makes a play’ when necessary. I would like to see additional patience in the pocket and the ability to go through his progressions.
We have seen athletically gifted signal-callers in the past that have struggled with processing against evolving NFL defenses. Richardson needs a bit more work here.
Overall
It is hard not to become captivated by Anthony Richardson. The more you watch, the more you like. There may not be a more exciting prospect in all of college football.
The 2022 college football season will go a long way to telling the story of Richardson and just how early he can be drafted. He is a top 5-10 prospect in my mind, and he is the type of prospect that excites the entire NFL.