Anthony Richardson 2023 Dynasty Rookie Profile

Anthony Richardson 2023 Dynasty Rookie Profile

Position: QB

School: Florida

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Date of Birth: May 22, 2001

Height: 6-4 Weight: 244 lbs

Athletic Testing

Bio

After graduating in 2020, Anthony Richardson elected to stay home in Gainesville and play for the Florida Gators. Richardson was a consensus four-star recruit, ranking inside the top-300 prospects nationally. He was a top-10 dual threat quarterback, trailing fellow 2023 draftee Bryce Young. This Florida class ranked as a top-10 class respectively in 2020.

Anthony Richardson appeared in just three games in 2020. His only completion came against Oklahoma in the Gators’ bowl game, a 27-yard touchdown to Jordan Pouncey. He played behind Kyle Trask and Emory Jones.

As a redshirt freshman, Richardson saw more playing time but was still a reserve to Jones. This led to just one start for Richardson despite appearing in seven games. His lone start came against Georgia; Richardson went 12-for-20 for 82 yards and two interceptions. Richardson left that game with a head and neck injury and would not return for the remainder of the season.

Richardson’s redshirt sophomore season is when he broke onto the scene. The Gators upset a top-10 Utah team in Gainesville in the season opener. Richardson rushed for over 100 yards and totaled three touchdowns. After the opener, it was an up and down season for Richardson and the Gators. Florida won just six games in the regular season. Florida lost to their four biggest rivals in conference: Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia. They failed to beat in-state rival Florida State. Despite the frustrating season, Richardson still shined. He finished in the top-10 in rushing yards for quarterbacks. This was the third best mark on his team, while his nine rushing touchdowns ranked second.

College Stats

Anthony Richardson College Stats Courtesy of sports-reference

Positives

+ 19.3 breakout age (84th percentile; PlayerProfiler.com)

+ Large, strong frame at 6-4, 244 pounds

+ Freak of an athlete

+ Cannon for an arm

+ Can make throws at difficult arm angles

+ Good at reading his progressions

+ Not afraid to stand in and take a hit

+ Good feel for pocket presence

+ Elastic arm

Negatives

– Accuracy; 54.7% career completion rate

– 13 career starts

– Throwing mechanics offer upside, but need improvement

– Can stare down his receivers too long

Highlight Reel

 

Archetype: Dual Threat Quarterback

NFL Comp: Josh Allen college pedigree with Cam Newton athleticism

Yards Per-Formance Grade: TBD

Draft Projection: Top-10

Bottom Line:

Anthony Richardson’s draft stock skyrocketed after the NFL Combine. He measured as the most athletic quarterback in combine history. His rocket arm had the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium and at home in aww. With that said, a showcase in a compression shirt and shorts is not everything. Richardson has just 13 career starts. And while he is a dynamic, physical runner, he struggled with accuracy at Florida. No, he’s not fully at fault; there were drops by his receivers to skew the percentage. But Richardson remains a raw quarterback with gifted athletic abilities who needs to land in the right system.

Currently, Richardson is projected as a top pick in the NFL Draft. Given the team needs at the top of the draft, I’d be surprised if he fell outside the top-5 on draft night. In superflex rookie dynasty drafts, Richardson is likely going in the first six picks. After Bijan Robinson, leagues will vary in order between Richardson, quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In one quarterback rookie dynasty drafts, I would expect back end of the first round to an early second round selection.

Resources: DLF, PlayerProfiler, PFN, PFF, TDN

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