With the 2023 NFL draft quickly approaching, mock drafts are cranking out left and right. With ESPN holding the broadcast rights to the annual event, analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay’s mock drafts are given a lot of exposure. In McShay’s latest two-round mock, the analyst includes two Florida Gators players making the cut.
As expected, the two players are [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and [autotag]O’Cyrus Torrence[/autotag]. Richardson, the quarterback prospect who broke multiple NFL combine records and has been compared to Cam Newton by some, is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. In this specific scenario, McShay projected the Colts trading up one spot with the Arizona Cardinals to secure their signal caller of the future.
It’s important to note that if CJ Stroud and Bryce Young go No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, it would be the fourth time in the modern draft era (since 1966) that quarterbacks went 1-2-3. The last time that happened was in 2021 with Trevor Lawrence going to the Jags, Zach Wilson going to the Jets, and Trey Lance going to the 49ers.
Here is what McShay had to say about Richardson going to the Colts:
I’ve heard mixed messages regarding the Colts’ interest in quarterbacks not named Young and Stroud, but the veteran route just hasn’t worked for them. They’ve started each of the past five seasons with a different starting QB, and they scored the NFL’s fewest points in 2022 (15.8 per game). If either Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis is Indy’s guy, it can’t afford to stay at No. 4 and just hope things work out.
There is obvious risk with Richardson, and it’s certainly possible Gardner Minshew would be getting the Week 1 call. After all, Richardson has just 13 career starts and accuracy issues to work through, mainly stemming from poor footwork and still-developing touch. But you’d need to call in NASA to reach his sky-high ceiling. At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, Richardson ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and has the strongest arm in this class. If he puts it all together, he could be a star in the NFL. New Colts coach Shane Steichen might be the guy to get him there.
At one point, O’Cyrus Torrence was a projected first-round pick. The consensus all-American offensive guard is projected to go No. 39 overall to the Carolina Panthers. In this scenario, Torrence would be a high second-round pick, joining No. 1 overall pick CJ Stroud together as a Batman and Robin-like pair for the future.
Here is what McShay said about Torrence being picked by the Panthers:
Let’s get Stroud some protection on the interior. Torrence allowed just two sacks over 47 starts — many of which came at Louisiana before transferring — and he rarely gives up ground to pass-rushers. He’d also help open things up for Miles Sanders in the run game, as he shows the ability to control linemen and move them laterally.
The 2023 NFL draft will take begin on Thursday, April 27, and will conclude on Saturday, April 29. It will take place in Kansas City and will be broadcast on ESPN and the NFL Network.
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