New ESPN Mock Has Richardson To Titans At No.11

Fans aren't going to like this, and the reasoning makes sense, but the questions about his on-field performance are so strong. It's hard to get behind this move.

Corey Perrine / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - Another day brings us the next mock draft to dissect, this time from the good folks at ESPN, where draft analyst and former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum has shared his latest effort on the board in a full seven-round, 259-pick effort.  

In the first round, Tannenbaum has the Tennessee Titans selecting the most athletic quarterback in this year's class, former University of Florida signal-caller Anthony Richardson.  

The reasoning for this pick? 

Ryan Tannehill turns 35 years old in July, and the early returns on 2022 third-rounder Malik Willis haven't been encouraging. The Titans make a lot of sense for Richardson. He has compelling upside but needs more time to develop, and Tennessee wouldn't have to rush him with Tannehill under contract for another year.

Richardson started one full season in college, and his 53.8% completion percentage ranked 116th in the country last season. That must greatly improve for him to be an effective NFL quarterback. No college quarterback, however, broke more tackles as a runner in 2022 than Richardson (22), and he showed off 4.43-second speed in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Plus, he has a huge arm. Richardson's ceiling is as high as that of any prospect in this class.

There's no denying Richardson's upside or Tannehill's age. Still, there are other, perhaps more important reasons to question this selection for a team that needs more than a quarterback who can sit for a season and develop, regardless of their athletic abilities.

The physical part of Richardson's game is freakishly impressive. He can make every throw, he can run, he can jump, and he can create excitement, ala Vince Young.    

But, like Young, there are questions about his ability to read defenses quickly and get through his progressions quickly while under pressure. 

The Titans have gone down this road recently, and while Richardson could well become the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, he's just more of a risk than this team can stand at this juncture.

Now if somehow he were to be sitting there on the board at No.41, we've got a different discussion. No, I don't see that happening. 

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