“No One Wants to Be Known as the Person…”: NFL Legend Relays Heavy Price of Skipping on QB Prodigy Anthony Richardson in NFL Draft

We all watched the NFL Draft Combine. We all read the reports afterward. If there was just one player that we had to pick as the standout candidate from the draft, it would surely be Anthony Richardson. Richardson was one of the most surprising candidates with his stellar performance at the Combine. 

With a mix of an outstanding throwing arm and impeccable speed, Richardson shot up the draft boards of many fans and analysts alike. With a heavily loaded draft class at the QB position, it is certainly difficult to predict where Richardson will land. But if we are to take the word of a legend of the game, passing on Richardson might prove to be costly. 

NFL legend drops truth bomb about drafting Anthony Richardson

NFL legend Steve Smith Sr. sent out a warning to NFL teams ahead of the 2023 draft: Don’t pass on Anthony Richardson. The 5-time Pro Bowl WR spoke out about his opinions on this season’s upcoming draft class. In a QB-loaded class, the standout for Smith is the dynamic Anthony Richardson. Especially with the gift of his physical tools, Richardson is truly a fascinating prospect. Smith even went on to make a bold comparison about the Gators QB. 

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To date, no one wants to be known as the person who passed up on an opportunity to invest in commercial hubs like Amazon or Tesla. Why? Simply because no one wants to be the person to pass up on a gold mine. And in Smith’s eyes, that’s exactly what Richardson is. A gold mine of talent and potential. A team willing to pass up on him better know the consequences of letting a prospect like Richardson slip from under their fingers.

What does the draft board for Anthony Richardson look like?

Richardson is part of a draft class loaded with talent at the QB position. Players like CJ Stroud, Will Levis, and Bryce Young are all expected to be high draft picks. But Richardson rounds out the big four names in the QB category and has been projected by many to be a top-10 pick. He certainly has all the tools to be a star QB in the NFL. 

He threw for over 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in his first and only full season as a starter for the Florida Gators. But his unstable play and injury history have been the only major holdup in him going numero uno in the Draft. Richardson’s potential is undeniable. He has the size, speed, and arm strength to succeed in the NFL. But he will need the right situation to reach his full potential. The team that drafts him will need to be patient and willing to give him time to develop. It still remains to be seen which franchise ultimately rolls the dice on the Anthony Richardson sweepstakes. 

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