Just How Much Upside is there with Anthony Richardson?
The term "upside" was used extensively during the NFL Draft before the Indianapolis Colts made Anthony Richardson the No. 4 overall pick.
What exactly is "upside?"
Upside is typically defined as how good a player can be if they reach their peak as a player relative to their physical ability.
Considering Richardson is arguably the most physically gifted quarterback to enter the NFL, yeah, he's got tremendous upside.
ESPN conducts an annual pole of its experts and subjectively ranks a quarterback's physical tools. Without every having thrown a pass in the NFL, Richardson is well represented.
Richardson finished No. 6 in both arm strength and rushing ability. At 6'4 and 250 pounds with a 4.43 forty at the NFL Combine, it might be a little surprising that Richardson is "only" sixth in rushing ability.
One member of their panel is keeping a close eye on Richardson for this list.
"I'll also be interested to see if Richardson can get into the top three by next season," wrote Dan Orlovsky.
Richardson didn't finish in the top-10 in "second-reaction ability", but that's more a factor of not playing than skill. They define second-reaction ability as being able to create once a player has broken down.
With his arm strength and athleticism, Richardson should be a natural at extending plays, and ESPN thinks it's just a matter of time before he's in the top 10.
"Rookie Anthony Richardson can quickly climb the ranks in the second-reaction category," wrote Matt Miller.
Richardson showed flashes of his physical ability in the Colts' first-preseason game. Richardson' arm strength was apparent as he went 7-12 passing for 67 yards and an interception. He rushed just twice for seven yards.
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills |
Patrick Mahomes | Kansas City Chiefs |
Justin Herbert | LA Chargers |
Aaron Rodgers | New York Jets |
Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars |
Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts |
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Lamar Jackson | Baltimore Ravens |
Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles |
Justin Fields | Chicago Bears |
Josh Allen | Buffalo Bills |
Kyler Murray | Arizona Cardinals |
Anthony Richardson | Indianapolis Colts |
