Chris Mortensen reveals concern from NFL personnel on Anthony Richardson's limited starting experience

There’s no question that Anthony Richardson has the physical tools to make him a top five pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. But with a limited sample size to draw from in college at Florida, there’s also a lot of risk that comes with picking him.

Richardson declared for the draft after just one full season as a starter for the Gators. It’s been speculated that whichever team takes him will allow him to develop for 1-2 seasons before handing him the reigns to its offense. However, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen revealed there is some concern from some NFL teams who feel that isn’t the best way for Richardson to improve.

“When he announced that he was coming out, I heard a lot of personnel people say ‘oh no,'” Mortensen said in an ESPN mock draft special appearance Tuesday. “Great physical talent. No question about it. But you need repetitions. You need to start. This idea that you come into the league and you sit and you’ll get better — you will not get better. Only 13 starts. Only 393 pass attempts in his career. Limited amount of reps and starts in high school as well.

“You can maybe say Mark Sanchez is the guy who had some level of success with only having one full season. But we’ve got guys even like Trey Lance or Mitch Trubisky. Those type of guys. People took a shot on them. Sitting doesn’t get you better. You’ve gotta play. If you play Anthony Richardson, chances are you may be No. 1 or No. 2 next year when there are better quarterbacks coming out.”

Richardson showed off his rushing ability as Florida’s starter last season to finish with 654 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Still, his completion percentage of just 53.8% (12th in the SEC) raises questions about his accuracy. It will certainly be interesting to see how that, along with his limited starting experience, affects where he falls when the draft kicks off on April 27.

Todd McShay projects Anthony Richardson No. 3 overall to the Colts

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay released a new mock draft Tuesday and predicted the Indianapolis Colts to trade up to No. 3 to take Richardson. The Colts have rolled out a new starter in each of the past four seasons and McShay believes they are ready to find their next franchise player since Andrew Luck retired in 2019.

To him, Richardson is that player.

“I think Anthony Richardson makes all the sense in the world,” McShay said. “The Colts have started five different quarterbacks to start the season in the last five years. They’ve gone the veteran route, including Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan. It just hasn’t worked. They bring in Gardner Minshew. Maybe he’s a one-year bridge to Richardson, who needs time.”

McShay and Mortensen also kicked around the idea of the Colts potentially trading for Lamar Jackson. However, Mortensen said he has heard the franchise would rather go to the draft to “grow their own.”

If they do, Richardson certainly has the tools to be a future star after leading all quarterbacks in the 40-yard dash (4.43 seconds), vertical jump (40.5 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, nine inches) at the NFL Combine.

“Just 13 starts in college, but my goodness is this guy talented,” McShay said. “6’4″, 244 pounds. Got a 4.4 40. Flexible upper body. Can flick his wrist and drive it 60-70 yards down the field. Everything is there for Shane Steichen to work with. He has a good track record of developing quarterbacks. I think for an organization that has missed with the veterans, it’s time to draft a young guy at a cheap price. Develop him and be the future. Being married to this guy for the next 7-10 years.”