Anthony Richardson is jumping and leaping his way up draft boards at the NFL combine.
If you had any reservations about Anthony Richardson going inside of the top 10, you better get over it fast, because that is most definitely happening now for the former Florida quarterback.
Richardson may have had an up-and-down run in Gainesville, but no signal-caller in the 2023 NFL Draft offers more upside than the former Gators star. For better or worse, Richardson draws favorable comparisons to former Florida transfer and Auburn legend Cam Newton. While he too may have been a project coming out in 2011, he became a superstar with the Carolina Panthers.
Fate would have it, the Panthers are picking at No. 9, right in the sweet spot to draft Richardson.
He had the size and athleticism, but look at Richardson quite literally jumping out of the gym.
New NFL combine broad jump record for QB
Richardson posted an NFL record for a quarterback in the broad jump with 10 feet and 9 inches.
He will never have to do this in the NFL, but he undoubtedly has the ability to go over the top.
New NFL combine vertical jump record for QB
Richardson would then set an NFL record for a quarterback with a vertical jump of 40.5 inches.
Again, he will never have to do this in a game, but his athleticism is simply undeniable at this point.
Frankly, Richardson is probably going to be either the third or fourth quarterback coming off the board this spring. One would think Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud will go ahead of him, while next up between Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis is certainly up for debate. Levis, Stroud and Young are ready to play now, while Richardson may need a year or so.
Overall, this was always going to be the case with Richardson. His ceiling is higher than anyone at the position. I mean, when you are drawing favorable comparisons to Newton, Vince Young and Josh Allen, there is no telling what he could be if he goes to the right team. Richardson may have sizable bust potential, but if a team can devise the right offense around him, it will be explosive.
Four quarterbacks should go top 10 this spring, and you best believe Richardson is one of them.
