With the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts made the right selection by drafting quarterback Anthony Richardson. It appears that GM Chris Ballard and the Colts have their quarterback.
After Bryce Young and CJ Stroud went first and second overall, the Colts held firm at the fourth overall pick and were able to nab Anthony Richardson from Florida. The 6’4″ quarterback has the highest ceiling of perhaps any player in the entire draft.
However, his 13 career college starts and overall limited experience could be a sore spot for some.
Richardson is now a Colt, and Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen is someone who should be able to get the most out of him. He took a lesser prospect in Jalen Hurts and helped turn him into one of the most efficient passers in the NFL.
Hurts and Richardson are similar in their abilities. They are both dual threat passers and both needed some accuracy work coming out of college. Steichen might have a little deja vu working with Richardson, and I don’t think there is any pressure for him to play immediately.
The Indianapolis Colts are definitely not in a position to be competing in the division anytime soon, so I think there’s time here for Richardson. Colts did sign Gardner Minshew in free agency, and he’s perfectly good enough to hold the fort down for a while.
However, it’s like we do see Anthony Richardson at some point in the 2023 season, perhaps when all is more or less “officially” lost. If the Colts are something like 2-9, 3-8 or another record way out of a playoff spot, I think we’d see the former Florida QB take snaps in Indy.
Perhaps the Colts have finally figured out their long-term quarterback situation after the shocking retirement of Andrew Luck after the 2018 season.