Falcons Interview Florida QB Anthony Richardson; Atlanta Draft at No. 8?
Arguably the biggest riser in the NFL Draft so far, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is surging up draft boards.
Once considered a late first-round pick, Richardson is gaining interest from several teams at the top of the round, including the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons are one of seven confirmed teams to have interviewed Richardson, according to The Score.
While Richardson's numbers at Florida don't jump off the page (53.8 percent completion, 2,549 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions), his unique build as a 6-4 quarterback with the ability to run (654 yards, nine touchdowns) has quarterback-needy teams enamored.
In this play against the LSU Tigers, Richardson was able to escape the pocket, direct his blocker in the right direction and break a couple of tackles to run for an 81-yard touchdown.
Richardson also has the respect of his teammates and opponents, including someone who acted as both. Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, a Florida transfer, gave a glowing endorsement of Richardson at the Shrine Bowl.
"I played with Anthony Richardson, I played against Anthony Richardson, and I'd much rather play with him than against him," Diabate said.
In the latest mock draft from Sports Illustrated, Richardson was taken with the No. 17 pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But if Richardson shines at the Combine this week, there's a good chance he won't be there by the time the Bucs pick and that the Falcons would have good value by selecting him with the No. 8 choice.
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