What are the top potential landing spots for Florida QB Anthony Richardson in the 2023 NFL Draft? Here’s a look at some of the most likely teams to acquire the Gators’ passer in the draft this coming April.
Anthony Richardson Landing Spots Include Colts, Panthers, Texans
Earlier in the offseason, Richardson was often the odd-man out at QB in mock drafts. You’d often see C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, and Will Levis all go in the top 10, while Richardson fell to a team in the teens like the Commanders, Buccaneers, or the Lions’ second pick.
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That trend was a reflection of Richardson’s perceived rawness, compared to other prospects. But as the process unfolds, the NFL and media both appear to be warming on Richardson. He has room for growth, but his pure talent is unmatched, and in a league where dynamic talents win the day at QB, Richardson can pace the arms race.
Houston Texans
Most mock drafts now have Richardson staying within the top 10. He’s usually the third or fourth QB selected, but there remains a chance that Richardson goes off the board as one of the top two passers, and the Texans are one team that could take him.
Earlier in the offseason, new Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans was asked about his preference of style at quarterback, and he promptly pointed to Super Bowl QBs Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts as examples to follow.
“These guys, they’re mobile, they can get outside of the pocket, and they make you play 11-on-11 football which unlocks a defense. That’s what sets them apart.”
With his elite athleticism and arm talent, Richardson is another who fits that description. He has the raw talent and dynamic ability to change the equation for an offense, and Ryans and the Texans have made it clear that’s what they’re seeking.
Indianapolis Colts
Any of the QB suitors in the top 10 range could consider Richardson, but the best pure schematic fit might be with Shane Steichen and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts’ offense is still settling under Steichen, but one of his calling cards is his ability to mold a scheme to his personnel at QB and maximize that player’s talents.
Steichen was instrumental in maximizing Hurts with the Eagles, and armed with Richardson’s tools, he could forge a truly scary offense in Indianapolis. Steichen has said that you need to “see the future” with QB prospects and project for what they can be. Richardson’s upside has to be tantalizing for him.
Carolina Panthers
At ninth overall, the Panthers are near the back of the order when it comes to QB priority in the early first round. But depending on how the group settles out, that could put them in Richardson’s range. A trade-up could also be engineered, especially given that Carolina’s roster is stronger than most of the teams listed here.
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Frank Reich is a very able QB developer as head coach, and he’s put together a strong coaching staff in the early months of his Carolina tenure. The Panthers also have several weapons in place, led by DJ Moore, and have a strong offensive line that could ease Richardson’s NFL transition.
Las Vegas Raiders
On the heels of a divorce with long-time starter Derek Carr, the Raiders are one of the prime suitors for a new QB in the 2023 NFL Draft. And if Stroud and Young are the first passers off the board, the Raiders could be well-positioned at seventh overall to land Richardson.
Richardson wouldn’t be the most precise fit for Josh McDaniels’ offense early on, and the Raiders need to add more support before they can truly maximize Richardson’s talents. But a few years down the line, that investment could pay off tenfold in the stacked AFC West. You can’t win that division without shooting for the stars.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are in talks to bring back Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith as the starter for 2023, and potentially beyond. Even so, they’re not completely out of the quarterback picture in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seattle holds the No. 5 overall pick courtesy of the Broncos, and Pete Carroll, at the NFL Combine just days ago, talked about the opportunity that comes with that pick.
“The position that we are in, we are totally connected to the quarterbacks that are coming out. This is a really huge opportunity for us. It’s a rare opportunity for us. We’ve been drafting in the low 20s for such a long time, you just don’t get the chance for these guys. So we’re deeply involved with all of them.”
Of the QBs in the 2023 NFL Draft, Richardson might be the best fit for the Seahawks’ specific situation. Smith’s presence in the immediate timeline would allow Richardson to sit, learn, and refine his mechanics. And in one to two years, he could then take over as Smith’s successor.
Anthony Richardson Mock Draft Rankings
True to form with his polarizing profile, Richardson’s range in recent mock drafts has been very wide. Tony Pauline had Richardson sliding out of Round 1 entirely in late February. But as the Combine has approached, Richardson has steadily locked himself into first-round — even early — territory.
Joe Broback, on February 23, had Richardson go sixth overall to the Panthers, who engineered a trade-up with the Lions. Arif Hasan also had Richardson mocked to the Panthers a couple days later, this time at ninth overall. In both instances, Richardson was the third QB selected behind Stroud and Young.
With Richardson, however, there is the potential to go even higher. James Fragoza recently had Richardson mocked as the second QB selected, to the Texans at No. 2 overall. I’m of the mind that Richardson’s raw talent could even lead a team to trade up to No. 1 overall for him.
It all depends on how teams view the Florida QB, but his upside is the stock accelerant that no other prospect has — at least to Richardson’s degree.