Report: Colts and Anthony Richardson 'Gaining Steam'

Could the Indianapolis Colts take a swing at the draft's most physically-talented quarterback in Anthony Richardson?

The Indianapolis Colts came out of the NFL Combine with more leverage with the No. 4 overall pick because of strong showings from several players including quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson of Ohio State and Florida respectively.

With multiple good options, the Colts didn't have to overpay to get their quarterback of the future. The Carolina Panthers felt differently at No. 7 and traded a haul to the Chicago Bears to move up to No. 1 overall.

There are perceived to be four-elite quarterbacks in the draft, and the Colts could be poised to take the player with the most upside in Richardson according to Ryan McCrystal of Sharp FB Analysis.

Colts/Anthony Richardson is gaining steam, since they may not have a shot at Stroud/Young.

Something to keep in mind... this will be Year 7 for GM Chris Ballard. He has 2 playoff appearances and a bunch of swings-and-misses at QB...

— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) March 12, 2023

"Colts/Anthony Richardson is gaining steam, since they may not have a shot at Stroud/Young," wrote McCrystal on Twitter. "Something to keep in mind... this will be Year 7 for GM Chris Ballard. He has 2 playoff appearances and a bunch of swings-and-misses at QB..."

Richardson had a historic performance at the NFL Combine including a 4.43 forty-yard dash and a quarterback-record 40.5" vertical at 6'4 and 244 pounds. 

His performance has put him in the discussion of being the top-pick overall, but his passing numbers and lack of experience could make him available when the Colts pick.

He completed just 53.8% of his passes last year with the Florida Gators, compared to 66.3% for Stroud and 64.5% from Alabama's Bryce Young.

Richardson is much more of a project and Colts' general manager Chris Ballard may be betting his job on him. Would he have the backing from owner Jim Irsay to see out a two or three year project to tap into Richardson's upside? 

Jalen Hurts was farther along as a passer when he was taken by Philadelphia in the second-round three-years ago, but it's hard not to get excited thinking what new Colts head coach and former Eagles' offensive coordinator Shane Steichen could do with Richardson.

Stroud and Young are likely to go No. 1 and No. 2 to the Panthers and Houston Texans. The Arizona Cardinals may stay at three, but they could be trade-down candidates. 

The Colts may need to trade up to No. 3 to make sure they get to choose the player they want between Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis. 

Like Richardson, Levis is a high-upside quarterback with arguably the best arm in the class and good mobility.

Steichen wasn't hired solely to develop a tools-y quarterback, but knowing that he has a track record of succeeding with multiple styles should give the Colts confidence heading into the draft.