Anthony Richardson

Anthony Richardson 2023 Fantasy Football Rookie Profile

Overview

Anthony Richardson is a sophomore quarterback from the University of Florida. Raised in Gainsville, Fla., Richardson received 17 collegiate offers out of high school, before deciding to stay close to home with the Gators. Richardson finished his high school football career with a stat line of 4,633 passing yards, 37 passing TDs, 1633 rushing yards and 41 rushing TDs over four years.

He appeared in only four games his first year at Florida, finishing with a stat line of with one completion on two attempts for 27 yards, one TD and one interception. Richardson ended up redshirting that shortened-COVID-19 2020 season.

Richardson began the 2021 season backing up Emory Jones, yet appeared in eight games as the rostered QB2. Richardson finished the 2021-22 season with 529 passing yards, 401 rushing yards, adding nine combined TDs and five interceptions. He also ended up making the SEC All-Freshman Team that season.

In his first and only full season as a starter, Richardson led the Gators to a 6-6 record in 2022-23. Although the season didn’t end how Richardson and the Gators would have liked, he did begin the season as SEC Offensive Player of the Week, adding that to his list of accolades. Richardson finished with a stat line of 2,549 passing yards, 654 rushing yards, 17 passing TDs, nine rushing TDs and nine INTs.

The NFL Combine will likely be the determining factor as to how high Richardson gets drafted. With his little experience as a full-time starter at Florida, some people may not understand Richardson’s decision to leave for the NFL so prematurely in their eyes. Considering how many teams are QB-hungry this offseason, it’s understandable where his camp was coming from pushing this “early” move from Florida.

Richardson has a lot to prove going into the NFL Combine to solidify himself as a top QB in this draft class, but he has the perfect opportunity to do it. The NFL Combine’s primary focus is putting players’ athleticism on full display, and most view Richardson as a first-round athlete, despite his work-in-progress throwing ability. Richardson is banking on his extreme athleticism, while University of Alabama QB Bryce Young and University of Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker are not participating at the Combine. This could open up an opportunity for Richardson to solidify himself as that top quarterback prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. Either way, he likely finds himself as a top-15 pick.

Pros

• Excellent size
• Keeps eyes downfield while on the move
• Dual threat ability
• Big arm with extreme athleticism
• Fools defenders with head/eye placement
• Great pocket presence
• Strength to shed tackles

Cons

• Inconsistent Passer
• Struggles to read defenses
• Struggles with short passes
• Struggles with overthrowing receivers
• Poor mechanics (footwork, throwing motion)
• Inexperienced (just one year as starter)

Anthony Richardson Player Comparison

A Mix Between Cam Newton (QB, Carolina Panthers) & Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore Ravens)

Although I feel that it’s a bit unfair to compare Richardson as a college prospect to two Heisman Trophy winners, Cam Newton, and Lamar Jackson, there are no other comparisons I feel comfortable making after watching Richardson’s full tape.

It would be easy to compare Richardson to any dual-threat QB like Jalen Hurts or Justin Fields, maybe even a big-bodied-dual threat QB like Josh Allen. But I think those QBs are more balanced between being an excellent passer and an excellent runner. Richardson is more reliant on his athleticism. Seeing the struggles he faced at Florida, it’s easy to see parallels with the careers of Jackson in Baltimore and Newton in Carolina.

One reason Richardson’s completion percentage is so low is because he didn’t have top-tier talent surrounding him. This is similar to both Newton’s and Jackson’s professional careers.

However, having a subpar supporting cast is not the sole reason for a poor completion percentage. Between his short game and overthrowing receivers, Richardson has a lot of growing to do to become more accurate. This is a lot like Jackson has had to do throughout his career, silencing critics who call him a running back.

Anthony Richardson Fantasy Football Projection

Regardless of how high Richardson is selected, I don’t foresee him being a fantasy factor in his rookie season. Unlike Bryce Young, Will Levis and C.J. Stroud, I believe his fantasy value comes down to his landing spot. If Richardson can do what he does best at the NFL Combine and proves to be a top-10 pick, he could land somewhere like Detroit or Seattle to sit behind a starter for a season. In this scenario, his value is as high as 1.02 in superflex dynasty rookie drafts.

If he blows the competition out of the water in Indianapolis, Richardson will be positioned to start Week 1 or eventually during the NFL season when his team isn’t winning games. Seeing him start at any point before the team’s bye week would not be ideal for his development. Just because it’s not ideal doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be interested in drafting him still. I’d adjust his value around 1.04-1.07 in rookie drafts if drafted to Houston, Indianapolis, Carolina, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Baltimore, Washington, Tampa Bay or New Orleans.

Drafting a QB who won’t participate in his rookie season at 1.02 is risky, but you don’t win fantasy championships without taking risks. In your dynasty rookie drafts, he should be your Vontae Mack from “Draft Day” – “Anthony Richardson, No Matter What.”

As far as redrafts, Richardson could be an interesting late-round dart throw if he projects to be a Week 1 starter. If not, he is likely a high-priority waiver claim if he eventually gets the starting nod as a rookie.

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