Richardson rips ‘project label’
Anthony Richardson rejected the premise that he’s entering the NFL scouting combine as a project quarterback. The Florida prospect, whose draft stock is surging despite his playing only one full season, believes he’s as game-ready as any of the other premier passers in the draft.
“I don’t even know what that means, ‘project label,’ ” Richardson said Friday. “But I’m willing to bring anything and everything that (any team will) need from me. I’m going to work hard. I’m going to be dedicated to my craft. And I’m just going to be a leader in that organization. So just grow and continue to grow.”
Once considered by most pundits as the fourth-best quarterback in this year’s draft class, the 6-4, 236-pound Richardson is capturing enough buzz with his raw talent and enviable physique to put him in the conversation for a top-10 slot.
Richardson played in just 22 games for the Gators, and his 53.8 completion percentage last season carries some concern, along with his lackluster 17:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Richardson, 21, conceded that his mechanics must improve. He’s spent the offseason adjusting his hips, feet and throwing motion, which will be the subject of scrutiny when quarterbacks throw in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday.
He acknowledged his completion percentage wasn’t “great,” but he also appeared to blame his receivers by saying “I can’t also catch every pass.”
“When it comes to touch (passes), you know, if you watch my film, I definitely can add some touch to these schemes,” Richardson said. “It’s just growing up, I’ve had a lot of people telling me I’m throwing it too hard. So when I’m trying to lighten up, it’s not as accurate as I want it to be. So I don’t care if somebody’s complaining about I’m throwing it hard. They better catch it.”
Richardson’s high ceiling could be alluring to a quarterback-needy team. But it’s still too early to believe he’ll jump Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud as the first quarterback taken.
The Texans draft No. 2 overall. But the Colts (No. 4), Raiders (No. 7) and Panthers (No. 9) are all pursuing new passers and could be willing to take a chance on Richardson despite his need for further development.