New York Giants Draft Prospect: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

The Giants probably won't be in the market for anything more than a developmental quarterback, but let's check in on Florida's Anthony Richardson.

Anthony Richardson, QB

Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 232 lbs.
Class: RS-Sophomore
School: Florida

Gainesville’s very own Anthony Richardson was a four-star recruit from Eastside High School in Gainesville, Florida, before he decided to go to his hometown college - the University of Florida. Richardson was the 204th nationally-ranked player in the freshman class of 2020. Surprisingly, Richardson lacked an elite offer list, partially because Florida always appeared to be the school.

Notables

Richardson's elite athleticism landed him on Bruce Feldman’s College Football Freaks List for 2022. “Richardson is a chiseled 6-4, 238 pounds with just 10 percent body fat and says he has run a 4.4 40 and can throw a football 75 yards.”

Strengths

  • Elite size and athleticism for a quarterback
  • Arguably the strongest arm in the 2023 NFL Draft
  • Has come up clutch multiple times (running vs Utah, throwing vs Tennessee)
  • Is mechanically sound with year-after-year improvement
  • Capable of manipulating defenses with his eyes
  • Has consistently made the right decision on options and RPOs


Weaknesses

  • Has major inconsistency issues as a passer
  • Struggles to put the ball in a spot that gives his receivers catch and run opportunities
  • Has struggled with minor injuries throughout his career
  • Hesitant to use his most valuable asset - his legs
  • Just one year of starter experience and will have a steeper developmental curve
  • Sometimes goes long stretches of games without completing any passes (2022 LSU, 2022 Florida State)

Summary

There might not be a more polarizing player in the 2023 NFL Draft than Anthony Richardson, whose film shows a player that isn’t close to being NFL-ready but who has the physical tools to be a franchise quarterback. It’s rare to find players with the same kind of ceiling that Richardson has, which will probably get him drafted earlier than he deserves to be.

GRADE: 6.5B

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Nick Falato

Published
Brandon Olsen
BRANDON OLSEN

Brandon Olsen is the founder of Whole Nine Sports, specializing in NFL Draft coverage, and is the host of the Locked On Gators Podcast.