Anthony Richardson is the most significant boom-or-bust prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He possesses ungodly arm talent, is an electric athlete, and can make any throw on the field. But – with that comes the lack of polish to his game. His mechanics are raw, and his tools are wildly untamed. If a coach can find a way to create a system for him to settle into next year, Richardson could be a huge player in the NFL, but he won’t be able to sustain success until he develops his mechanics.
Anthony Richardson
QB – Florida Gators
HT: 6032
WT: 236
DOB: 5/22/2001
Year: Super Sophomore
High School: Eastside (Gainesville, FL)
Rating: 4-star (0.9204)
Projected Draft Grade: Project QB1
Projection: 1st Round
There’s no doubt that Anthony Richardson has some crazy upside – anyone who says otherwise is… I don’t even know. Richardson has some very raw mechanics to clean up, especially in his feet, his base, and his platform, which will help lead him forward. He struggled at times with the speed of the SEC game, which leads you to believe there will be problems with transitioning to the NFL level.
QB Spy: Anthony Richardson’s Quarterback Ability
Arm Talent
Anthony Richardson has a cannon for an arm. Ungodly arm talent. Can push the ball to any point of the field with effortless ease. Pushes the ball around 70 yards at max. Velocity looks great.
Beautiful touch ball. Throws it very naturally and has solid feel.
Release is so inconsistent, sometimes looking quick and other times extended. Can throw from several arm slots and angles.
Accuracy/Placement
Accuracy is still very inconsistent. Struggles to throw with accuracy when under duress. Consistently overthrows receivers on the intermediate to deep ball. Completed just 53% of his passes last year with a 5.5% throwaway rate.
Ball tends to sail on him, especially when under duress. Flashes extraordinary placement – but only flashes. Not nearly consistent enough. Struggles to hit receivers in stride consistently, but flashes the ability to very well.
Pocket Presence
Has to work on his drop and how he works the pocket. So inconsistent with it.
Richardson maneuvers the pocket decently well. Can move to space and get throws off in limited space. Really flashes special pocket movement from time to time.
Footwork
Does not have consistent feet. Struggles to work at stepping into his throws, especially when throwing underneath.
Very quick feet. There won’t be any issue with quickness or speed with Richardson.
QB Spy: Anthony Richardson’s Athleticism
Mobility
He can move very well outside of the pocket. Typically gets outside of the pocket to run. Doesn’t do it often to throw. Seems to throw decently well on the move.
Very solid athlete. Has the big body but struggles in power situations. Has so many moves and is difficult to bring down.
Improvability
Solid improv ability. Mostly as a runner, but flashes some solid improvability.
Seems to extend plays relatively well. Can keep the play alive with his movement and retain the structure of the play without going into the scramble drill.
QB Spy: Anthony Richardson’s Intelligence
Seems to have a very decent handle on the field, can keep plays alive with his understanding of where players will be and manipulate defenders with his movement. Still makes bad decisions from time to time and tries to force the ball into places he doesn’t need to be trying to force it.
Has the ability to pick up on some pre-snap looks, but will make bone-headed decisions from time to time.
Who is Anthony Richardson?
Fairly well-spoken young man, but hard to get a bead on. Very hard to figure out. I’ve heard mixed things about the way that he meshes with a locker room. I don’t understand the logic to the rumors, so it’s not something that I would personally dock him for.
