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Could Anthony Richardson go number one overall?

We break down the chances that Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
We break down the chances that Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

We break down the chances that Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

With the combine underway, draft season is in full force and there still isn’t a clear picture of who will go number one overall. It seems like all four of the top quarterbacks in this class are still at least in the running.

Those top four quarterbacks include Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Bryce Young has been the favorite to go number one for most of the process and I would say he still is, but there are plenty of teams who may be hesitant to draft him first due to his size.

Because of this other quarterbacks have emerged as contenders to be the first quarterback off the board and that includes Anthony Richardson.

Richardson saw his odds to go number one skyrocket prior to the combine and there are reports that he’s “absolutely crushing” interviews at the combine.

I have seen multiple mock drafts recently featuring him as the top pick, including The Draft Network’s Damian Parson, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings, and CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.

What may have sounded crazy a few months ago, now seems like a legitimate possibility and after more and more analysts are getting the chance to watch his tape it’s makes a lot of sense.

I have Bryce Young rated as my top quarterback in this class, but I do understand the argument for Anthony Richardson and I can’t say it would be a bad move for a team to move up for him.

He may not blow away the box scores every week but there are so many other, more important factors to consider when evaluating how quarterbacks will translate to the NFL.

For starters, his arm talent is the best in this class and is very good even by NFL standards. He’s simply going to capable of making throws that other quarterbacks can’t make, in particular tight window throws that require a lot of velocity.

I would consider his pocket presence not just the best in this class but also amongst the best I’ve seen from a quarterback. His ability to sense where pressure is coming from and step away from it is exceptional.

Plus, his athleticism allows him to make plays as a scrambler when he escapes the pocket. His combination of size at 6-foot-4, 232 pounds and athleticism is rare for quarterbacks and he will instantly bring a rushing threat and ability to wherever he lands.

Ultimately, his inconsistencies accuracy wise, in particular in the short and quick game keep him behind Young and Stroud in this class for me, but I understand that argument for him as QB1.

It will be very interesting to see how everything shakes out, but it’s looking more and more like a legitimate possibility that Anthony Richardson is the first name called on draft night.

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