Leading up to the draft, the Colts were sending out signals that they had their eye on Kentucky QB Will Levis. The organization was apparently hiding their true intentions, as it has selected Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick. 
It seemed inevitable that the Colts would use their No. 4 selection on a signal-caller, and Richardson was apparently their guy. Richardson represented the largest wild card in this year’s class and was considered the rawest QB among the draft’s top players at the position. On the flip side, many evaluators believed Richardson also had the highest upside among the draft’s quarterbacks, and the Colts are clearly hoping that the Florida product will reach his potential.
Richardson put himself on the NFL radar with a strong 2022 season. The one-year Gators starter finished the campaign having completed only 53.8% of his passes for 2,548 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. However, he also showed off his game-changing running skills, compiling 654 rushing yards and nine more scores. Those figures were followed up with an historic Combine performance. Richardson also put together a monster Combine, further attracting interest ahead of this top-five selection.
Colts owner Jim Irsay made it very clear throughout the offseason that the team’s cycle of adding short-term QBs via free agency or trade would be coming to an end in 2023. The presence of the Panthers (who have selected Bryce Young) and Texans (C.J. Stroud) led to questions being raised about who would be available for them at No. 4, but the choice of Levis vs. Richardson has been made. The latter will have competition to see the field as a rookie.
The Colts signed Gardner Minshew in free agency, giving them a potential bridge starter familiar with new head coach Shane Steichen. The former Eagles offensive coordinator was brought in largely due to his success in developing quarterbacks, and Richardson represents his latest challenge. There may not be urgency for the 6-foot-4, 244-pounder to play right away, but his development will be a crucial storyline for the Colts in the years to come as they look to put an end to their search for Andrew Luck‘s long-term successor.
Big bust potential, imo.
Big upside and meh downside. I think his athleticism gives him a fairly high floor working with Steichen and having JT in the backfield with him.
Who cares
What a horrible pick. My God.
What do yo know
I obviously know about your gag reflex.
I wanna hang out with Irsay’s dealer.
The Colts owner must still be taking drugs.
53.8 comp% in college does not bode well 4nfl future, now all of a sudden he’s gonna be more efficient vs bigger faster stronger opponents, yea he’s athletic freak but what does his track record indicate, this is why Colts suck, good chance just wasted #4 overall pick
What do you know
You suck
The Colts only have one player on their team at quarterback Gardner Minshew so if they take Anthony Richardson they’re going to be 1-16 and they don’t know what they’re going to become with Anthony Richardson you’re taking a guy that has a lot of talent but has not really played the position we all talk about the Utah game I watched the Utah game last night there’s a lot of mistakes on that tape in the Utah game there’s a lot of great plays he makes but there’s a lot of mistakes there’s a lot of opportunities that he doesn’t cash in on and he doesn’t read coverages I think people have watched him and they see what I see on the tape: “Great talent what are we going to do with him?”
Bit of a reach. He’ll be QB2 to start the year I’d hope