Former Florida quarterback [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] might have the highest potential of any signal caller that’s declared for the 2023 NFL draft, but would a team really risk the first overall pick on a player who has only made 13 career starts at the college level?
CBS Sports thinks so. Draft analyst Chris Trapasso’s latest mock draft has Richardson going No. 1 overall to the Indianapolis Colts after trading up with the Chicago Bears. The prediction rests on Richardson tearing it up at the upcoming draft combine, but experts have long expected him to shine in that setting.
“I think Richardson is going to emphatically remove the lid from Lucas Oil Stadium at the NFL combine,” Trapasso wrote. “That will lead to the Colts taking a chance on him, given the hiring of former Eagles Shane Steichen as head coach. Richardson has similarities to Jalen Hurts and All-Pro upside.”
Even if Richardson doesn’t go No. 1 overall, most are leaning toward the idea of him being a top-5 overall pick. College Sports Wire’s Patrick Conn recently projected the Las Vegas Raiders to trade up for the Arizona Cardinals‘ third overall pick to select Richardson.
“Knowing full well that the Indianapolis Colts need a quarterback, we project a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for the Raiders to move up and get their guy,” Conn wrote. “Richardson could be a bit of a project but he has the tools to make an impact. Plus this would infuse some excitement into the fanbase.”
It’s far from a guarantee that Richardson will be off the board after the first five picks are called, but the hype surrounding him is only just beginning to snowball. At the end of the day, anything can happen once the draft clock starts.
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