Colts Land QB Anthony Richardson in FanNation Publisher Mock Draft
The Indianapolis Colts have a gaping hole in the franchise quarterback category. After several years of trying their hand at veteran reclamation projects in the post-Andrew Luck era, it's time for the Colts to swing and swing big on a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft.
This morning, FanNation rolled out its mock draft of the first round, where each NFL team's publisher made the pick. When the Colts went on the clock, lo and behold, the right quarterback was there. Here's who I selected for the Colts and why.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Analysis: The Colts get their guy. Richardson has soared up draft boards since the combine in Indy, where his numbers were off the charts. New coach Shane Steichen has his QB to build around.
Richardson landing in Indy makes sense. He would be a great fit for new head coach Shane Steichen, whose core philosophy is about building an offense around the strengths and weaknesses of his quarterback.
It might sound hyperbolic, but Horseshoe Huddle's Rashaad McGinnis sees Richardson as the most athletic quarterback ever. And, obviously, that's saying something.
Athletically, Richardson is the most gifted player the NFL has ever seen at the quarterback position. That's not a typo, that is a fact. He is 6'4", 244 pounds, ran a 4.43 40-yard dash, had a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10'9" broad jump. He is a true anomaly at the position and it shows up on the tape.
Richardson is definitely talented, but he's still raw. It might take the Colts some time to shape him into full NFL readiness.
In such an event, the Colts have three veteran signal-callers to help nurse Richardson along with Gardner Minshew, Nick Foles, and the still-young Sam Ehlinger. Then again, there's an argument to be made for NFL teams foregoing the incubation period and starting a first-round QB out of the gates.
Time will tell how the Colts will approach such a decision, if, indeed, a quarterback is drafted at No. 4 overall, and it's Richardson. In the meantime, Colts fans can dream.
