Getty Image / Stacy Revere
Despite the Florida Gators having a losing record two seasons in a row with quarterback Anthony Richardson (12-14), NFL Draft experts seem to believe he’ll be drafted 1st or 2nd overall.
The Anthony Richardson hype train has been plowing full steam ahead since before the NFL Combine. And his results at the Combine only helped bolster his chances of being drafted #1 overall.
Anthony Richardson blew everyone away and recorded the single highest Quarterback Relative Athletic Score of all time, according to Sumer Sports analytics:
Florida's Anthony Richardson is listed as having the highest relative athletic score amongst quarterbacks all-time pic.twitter.com/urawcEHxTA
— SumerSports (@sumersports) March 6, 2023
Some analysts and NFL insiders are calling this a red flag.
On the surface, it would seem insane that ‘most athletic QB ever’ could be a red flag. But a close look at that list reveals some cracks in the honorific.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that Lamar Jackson isn’t on that list because he didn’t participate in the NFL Combine and his NFL Pro Day included limited drills. So there isn’t a proper score for him.
Secondly, this list is full of quarterbacks with a LOT of hype and ZERO Super Bowls. Cam Newton made it to Super Bowl 50 and lost to the Denver Broncos. Gabbert was a backup for the Bucs in the Super Bowl.
The others on that list are either famous for never panning out or they were reliable for years but never made it to the elite level.
Here’s a look at what people are saying about this list that Anthony Richardson tops… There are a lot of ‘who?’ going on here:
1-bad college stats
2-peak was great, but fell off fast
3-solid starter
4-not good
5-great backup
6-who?
7-who?
8-awful but good backup
9-backup
10-made it what, 3 years?
11-who?
12-who?
13-great, but retired early due to injury issues
14-🤦🏻♂️
15-bad at quarterbacking https://t.co/oFiNmnJe8o— Well Above Average Coach (@aboveavgcoach) March 6, 2023
Cam Newton and Andrew Luck…
And only 2 really ever made a impact beyond a few years. https://t.co/IFHqgyh13T
— Jasun™ (@RacinJasun) March 6, 2023
Excellent question:
How many YMCA basketball games has Josh McCown just absolutely dominated in the last ten years? https://t.co/LYA4ol3xkl
— parker fleming (@statsowar) March 6, 2023
It seems unfair to say that Anthony Richardson won’t have a successful NFL career due to the shortcomings of other NFL quarterbacks. However, the past is the best predictor we have of future results.
Richardson threw for 17 TDs and 9 INTs in 2022 for the Florida Gators. He had 2549 passing yards. But the Gators still had a losing season (6-7).