Mike Sando of The Athletic put out the 11th edition of quarterback tiers ahead of the 2024 regular season beginning. This is the first year that Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson is eligible for voting–so where did he land?
50 NFL coaches and executives, who remain anonymous, place each non-rookie quarterback into tiers based on how good they believe that they are. In short, Tier 1 is for the best of the best, and Tier 5 is, well, the opposite of that.
If a vote for Tier 1 is worth one point and a vote for Tier 5 is worth five points, the total number of points each quarterback received from the 50 voters is then averaged out to ultimately determine which tier they belong in.
For Richardson, he found himself in Tier 4, which Sando describes as the tier for an unproven player–which is Richardson–or a veteran quarterback that you wouldn’t want starting 17 games.
Richardson’s voting averaged was 3.8, with 40 voters putting him in Tier 4 and 10 putting him in Tier 3–described as the quarterback being a legitimate starter but needs a heavier run game or defensive component to help him win.
“Everybody is scared to death of him in the NFL,” said one head coach in Sando’s rankings. Another head coach said, “You are hard-pressed to tell me, if he keeps developing and stays healthy, that he is not going to be bottom of Tier 2 next year.”
Of course, when it comes to attempting to rank Richardson at this time of the year, that’s a difficult task given the overall inexperience, appearing in just four games as a rookie with 98 career dropbacks.
The Colts’ final preseason game was a prime example of the roller coaster ride that could unfold in the early portion of the season. There were some brilliant throws from Richardson in the quarter and a half that he played. However, there were some off target passes and miscommunications as well.
The upside is undeniable. However, with the team around him, Richardson doesn’t have to do it all on his own either. He will be playing behind what should be a top tier offensive line unit. In the backfield with Richardson will be Jonathan Taylor, along with Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and AD Mitchell at receiver.
There is also something to be said for the advantage that continuity can provide with this being Richardson’s second season in Shane Steichen’s offense.
“Richardson is erratic in the pocket and all that, but he is a big, big man who can make things happen,” said one defensive coach. “He’s a 3 that can elevate for sure. Shane understands how to space things out for him to make the targets easier and how to get him involved in the run game.”
The biggest thing Richardson needs right now are more reps in a live game setting. Those experiences, even the growing pains, are going to be what ultimately leads to growth.