WATCH: Louis Riddick gives passionate take on Anthony Richardson, NFL Draft using Jalen Hurts

There are two quarterbacks considered ‘safe’ options in this year’s draft, with CJ Stroud and Bryce Young likely being the first two off the board. Anthony Richardson is getting there but for now, the Florida product is still considered a ‘project’ and someone you have to develop. Because of that, there is a chance he falls outside the first few selections.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick is tired of hearing about Ricardson’s potential slide due to some kinks needing to be worked out. He said recent history in the NFL has proven those types of quarterbacks can work, citing the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts as an example.

“Guys that had those concerns in college … usually made you look stupid in the end,” Riddick said. “These guys can work at it. Whether it be mechanically or wholistically in terms of being with better supporting cast, better coaching… Josh Allen showed you this. Jalen Hurts has shown you this. It can be done.”

Hurts does not possess the arm strength Richardson does but his overall ability as a passer made him a second-round pick. Philadelphia has worked with Hurts over the past three years and made him an MVP-caliber player in a short time. Riddick is arguing the same can be done with Richardson.

There is a difference between Hurts and Richardson, at least from a college standpoint. Hurts started at Alabama for two seasons before transferring to Oklahoma and becoming a Heisman finalist. He had a ton of experience before stepping into the NFL.

Richardson is different, only spending one year as the starter at Florida. He played in spurts under Dan Mullen before fully becoming the guy under Billy Napier. There is still work to be done by Richardson, no matter who drafts him in late April.

“It is clear that AR is putting in the work,” Riddick later added via Twitter. “It has been proven that accuracy can be improved significantly with continued work and technical refinement. It’s foolish to think that what ‘was’ is automatically what ‘will be.’ I would not bet against this young man becoming a (star).”

Plenty of storylines emerged from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and Richardson was one of them. His athletic ability was on full display, wowing teams in multiple events.

That’s nothing new for the quarterback. The throwing sessions have been and will continue to be analyzed by NFL teams until April 26.