Why Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is among the NFL’s most intriguing participant to observe in 2024

Three quarterbacks had been taken within the first spherical of the 2023 NFL Draft, with wildly completely different rookie seasons for every. High general decide Bryce Younger had a disastrous first 12 months with the Carolina Panthers, whereas second decide C.J. Stroud flourished with the Houston Texans on his solution to profitable Offensive Rookie of the Yr and an AFC Divisional Spherical look. Whereas Younger is on the lookout for large enchancment below new coach Dave Canales, Stroud is a preseason MVP candidate on a official Tremendous Bowl contender.

Then there’s the No. 4 general choice: Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts. Arguably probably the most polarizing quarterback of the draft, the 22-year-old’s rookie marketing campaign sadly led to early October.

Between his lone season as a starter on the College of Florida and his handful of begins with the Colts, there’s nonetheless scant information on whether or not or not the predominantly NFL Mix-fueled hype surrounding Richardson is warranted. He’s a captivating case research in “instruments over productiveness.” Whereas Richardson’s school stats weren’t overly spectacular on an in any other case unremarkable Gators staff, his bodily traits had been, to cite Robert Palmer, “merely irresistible.”

What can we draw from his restricted NFL pattern measurement?

Richardson’s NFL stats: 50-of-84 (59.5%) for 577 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 misplaced fumble, 7 sacks taken; 25 carries for 136 yards, 4 dashing touchdowns

Sturdiness is an actual query mark

Richardson began 4 video games however solely accomplished one. Within the remaining sequence of his debut towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, he left with a bruised knee. A concussion in Week 2 towards the Houston Texans brought on him to overlook Week 3, whereas an AC joint sprain in Week 5 versus the Tennessee Titans marked the top of his season. All three accidents had been sustained whereas working the ball.

At Florida, Richardson didn’t miss a lot precise recreation time in his remaining 12 months in school, though he tore his meniscus towards Florida State again in 2021 and underwent surgical procedure. Different minor knocks took him out of two video games, and he harm his knee whereas dancing (no, critically). Whereas it’s untimely to declare Richardson injury-prone, his well being goes to be among the many many subplots of Richardson’s second season.

The Colts offense was not constant, but it surely was explosive

On the time of the Los Angeles Rams recreation (his solely full begin to date), Richardson led the NFL in explosive play price (12+yard rushes and 20+yard passes). The Rams efficiency epitomizes the highs and lows of the Colts offense below Richardson. 5 of his 11 completions had been explosive performs, together with this outrageous deep cross to receiver Alec Pierce as he was being corralled by Aaron Donald.

However scattered across the explosives had been large lulls. Previous to Richardson’s fourth quarter heroics that turned a 23-8 gap right into a 23-23 tie, the Rams held the Colts offense to three.7 yards per play, 8 first downs, and Richardson was simply 5-of-14 passing.

In his debut versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts had a markedly conservative gameplan and scored 14 offensive factors on 14 drives. As Stampede Blue’s Jay Robins famous, although, Richardson was far more aggressive along with his downfield passing after Week 1.

Accuracy stays a problem

One of many pink flags relating to Richardson’s skillset was his accuracy, having accomplished lower than 55 % of his throws in school. For as easy and easy as his throwing movement appears, having a very highly effective arm means nothing with out constant goal or management.

On intermediate passes (10-19 yards past the road of scrimmage), Richardson was simply 9-of-19 for 173 yards, 1 landing, and 1 interception, per PFF. His 52.6 adjusted completion share (which accounts for drops) ranked barely above Kenny Pickett and Tommy DeVito.

On this 12 months’s preseason finale towards the Cincinnati Bengals, Richardson began 7-of-8 with a landing, solely to complete 1-of-6 the remainder of the evening with a pick-six thrown, inflicting Kirk Herbstreit to create a QB controversy out of skinny air between him and Joe Flacco.

Overthrows had been a famous drawback for Richardson in school and the erratic throws have continued within the professionals.

Richardson is a critical pink zone dashing menace

It’s not regular for somebody of Richardson’s measurement (6’4 and 244 lbs) to have 4.43-second pace within the 40-yard sprint. Richardson didn’t put up gaudy stats on restricted makes an attempt (17 carries for 100 yards on designed rushes), however he did grow to be the primary rookie quarterback to hurry for a landing in his first three begins. His energy and acceleration make him extremely harmful within the open subject.

Richardson had six designed carries within the pink zone, scoring 4 occasions. Solely Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts had extra pink zone dashing touchdowns amongst quarterbacks.

What may change in 2024?

Colts head coach Shane Steichen mentioned this previous June about whether or not or not the staff would restrict Richardson’s working this season, “Are you gonna restrict Steph Curry from capturing 3-pointers?” The previous Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator had great success guiding Jalen Hurts to MVP runner-up in 2022, and that’s what makes his partnership with Richardson so tantalizing.

It’s value stating that the Colts additionally didn’t have star working again Jonathan Taylor for seven video games final 12 months because of a contract holdout and accidents. Taylor’s return coincided with the top of Richardson’s season. The Colts nonetheless completed eighth in rush DVOA (per FTN Fantasy) regardless of the extended absences of each males. With one of many higher traces within the league, count on Steichen to make heavy use of Richardson and Taylor in read-option and run-pass choices in his playbook. Behind that OL, there’s each motive to assume Richardson will probably be an integral a part of an elite dashing assault, and he’ll lastly have the providers of one of many prime working backs within the league.

The ceiling of the Colts offense, nevertheless, finally hinges upon Richardson’s rocket proper arm. He’s not but a sophisticated sufficient passer to be much less reliant on his scrambling and designed runs. Indy’s entrance workplace sought to enhance the extensive receiver group by drafting Adonai ‘AD’ Mitchell within the second spherical. He gives the Colts a deep menace and pace factor that prime possibility Michael Pittman Jr. lacks, and his spectacular preseason might even see him shortly overtake the inconsistent Alec Pierce when it comes to goal share. Josh Downs has been injured and can miss Week 1 towards the Houston Texans, however the second-year participant from North Carolina had a productive rookie season and figures to be a top quality slot possibility for Richardson.

Pre-draft (and even post-draft), Richardson drew frequent comparisons to Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen, who was equally terrific on the mix, had considerations about his accuracy, decision-making, and throwing mechanics at Wyoming, but additionally had much more collegiate expertise than Richardson. After a shaky first two seasons within the professionals, Allen has considerably improved his accuracy and is now a perennial MVP candidate (even when nonetheless scrutinized for his turnovers).

With simply 18 begins since highschool, it’s extra cheap than to not count on a wholesome, full-season Richardson to have rising pains, very like Allen did. There’s actually no assure that he’ll develop as shortly or efficiently as Allen. Nonetheless, along with his particular person expertise, the offensive expertise round him, and Steichen’s artistic schemes, he’s nicely positioned to succeed sooner fairly than later.

The Colts aren’t projected to issue within the AFC playoff image, but when Richardson is ready to clear up a few of his greatest flaws and maximize his best strengths, Indy may go a step additional after narrowly lacking final 12 months’s playoffs with Minshew on the helm. On the very least, Richardson must be extraordinarily entertaining to observe, and his improvement is why he’s must-see TV for this season and past.