Colts' Biggest Bust? B/R Makes Dire Anthony Richardson Prediction

High expectations come with a long way to fall if they're not met, and no one has higher expectations than new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.

The Colts drafted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick as a player with limited experience but dripping with upside as arguably the most physically gifted quarterback to ever enter the NFL.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report (B/R) compiled a list that included the biggest-bust potential for every team in the NFL.

He chose Richardson for the Colts, but he immediately began to hedge his bets.

"This is a good time to remind readers that this is only a list of players who will be considered 'busts' this season," wrote Ballentine. "There are a lot of reasons to buy Anthony Richardson in the long term. There's a Jalen Hurts-esque ceiling in Shane Steichen's system in Indianapolis."

One might argue that Richardson's ceiling is considerably higher than Jalen Hurts, who was a second-round draft pick, because of the considerably higher physical ability.

Richardson is bigger, faster, and stronger than Hurts... by a wide margin.

"But it's also important to remember that Jalen Hurts only started four games as a rookie and didn't really silence doubters until Year 3," continued Ballentine. "He also had over 1,000 pass attempts in his time at Alabama and Oklahoma. Richardson had just 393 and was only a starter for one season."

Richardson's ability as a runner is superior to Hurts which may help him see the field sooner than Hurts did as a rookie. However, Ballentine is right to suggest caution when predicting Richardson impact as a rookie.

The Colts haven't named a starter for Week 1. They brought in Gardner Minshew this offseason as a veteran who has familiarity with Steichen from their time in Philadelphia.

James Boyd of The Athletic characterized Richardson's performance at OTAs as "turbulent," noting that Richardson often made the most impressive throw of the day but wasn't impressive.

That's him as a prospect in a nutshell. The ceiling is immense, but there's a lot of experience he needs to reach it. If/when he gets on the field this season there's going to be good, bad and ugly.

Expectations need to be kept relatively low for Richardson as a rookie. -- Alex Ballentine, B/R

With a 6'5 and 245 pound quarterback with 4.4 speed and a canon for an arm, it's going to be tough to keep expectations in check this summer. But it's important to remember that Payton Manning struggled mightily as a rookie as well.

Richardson won't be considered a "bust" no matter what happens this season no matter the results or context.