How Quickly can Anthony Richardson Contribute to the Colts?

Top-five picks in the NFL Draft are expected to make an immediate impact, but new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is a little different.

There's not a lot of precedent for an erratic throwing, 6'4 and 245 pound quarterback with 4.4 speed who can jump through the roof.

New head coach Shane Steichen was brough to Indianapolis in part because of his success in the past with a variety of quarterbacks, most recently Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.

Picturing Richardson playing the Hurts role in a well-oiled Indianapolis offense is a tantalizing prospect for Colts fans.

Steichen isn't giving much away early in the process.

"I think with anything, once guys get in here, regardless of position, we've got to see where they're at," said Steichen in a post-draft press conference. "The repetition part of it is going to be big, and we'll see where he's at," Steichen said on Richardson.

"We'll get him in for OTA's and training camp, and see where he goes. You get better when you play and when you practice."

Steichen didn't say a whole lot, but his mentioning that you get better when you play, should be an indicator that the Colts plan on using Richardson early.

With his athleticism, the Colts can use him in a variety of sub-packages including short yardage and RPOs to help Richardson get his feet wet.

The Colts brought in several offensive players including wide receiver Josh Downs and tight end Will Mallory, and Steichen believes those players could help ease Richardson's transition.

"Any time you add talent around a quarterback, it makes him better," said Steichen. "Downs is a crafty route runner in the slot; had a lot of production at North Carolina. He just has a really good natural feel; this guy's a football player. He can find the dead spots in zone coverage."

"He just has a knack for getting open. We're really excited about him."

"And adding Mallory to the fold, the speed that he brings, he catches some shallow routes, underneath routes, some seam balls. You can just see the explosiveness when he catches that ball and takes off and runs."

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Gardner Minshew as the Colts' opening-day starter, but it also shouldn't be a surprise if we see Richardson trotting out on the field shortly thereafter.

Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft picks

1st: Florida QB Anthony Richardson (No. 4 overall)
2nd: Kansas State DB Julius Brents (No. 44)
3rd: North Carolina WR Josh Downs (No. 79)
4th: BYU OT Blake Freeland (No. 106)
4th: Northwestern DT Adetomiwa Adebawore (No. 110)
5th: South Carolina CB Darius Rush (No. 138)
5th: Cal S Daniel Scott (No. 158)
5th: Miami TE Will Mallory (No. 162)
5th: Northwestern RB Evan Hull (No. 176)
6th: Wagner edge Titus Leo (No. 211)
7th: Texas A&M CB Jaylon Jones (No. 221)
7th: Northern Michigan OT Jake Witt (No. 236)

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