Florida football: Could Gators QB Anthony Richardson go #1 overall in the NFL Draft?

Florida football has multiple guys excited to hear their names called at the 2023 NFL Draft, but none are expected to go as high as QB Anthony Richardson.

Richardson, despite some inconsistencies during his time with the Gators, is projected by many to go in the top ten of the draft, with his most popular projected landing spot being the Carolina Panthers at #9 overall.

But one CBS analyst thinks that AR could go higher than nine. In fact, he thinks he’ll go higher than everybody else in the draft.

In Chris Trapasson’s mock draft, he has Anthony Richardson going first overall to the Indianapolis Colts, protecting that Indy will trade with the Bears for that #1 pick.

Look, I’m as high on AR’s potential as anybody you can find. But really? First overall?

Trapasso gave his reasons for why Richardson could go #1, and even though it still doesn’t seem super realistic, there is definitely a path for Anthony to be picked first.

Florida football: The NFL Combine can help boost his position

Chris first cited the NFL Combine as a spot for Richardson to improve his draft stock. We all know that AR is a freak athlete and has a ridiculous combination of strength and speed.

Trapasso writes, “I think Richardson is going to emphatically remove the lid from Lucas Oil Stadium at the NFL Combine. That will lead to the Colts taking a chance on him…”

It’s hard to argue with Chris’ point that Richardson will blow the doors off the Combine. He has all of the athletic traits you could ever want in a QB and has shown how well he can use his abilities on the field.

When NFL teams watch Richardson run the 40 and launch footballs through the roof, his draft stock could definitely go up.

Florida football: Richardson has the traits that are valued at the Draft

One of Trapasso’s other points is that “The Draft is so much more about traits and Richardson has traits galore.” He wrote this in his article where he ranked the draft prospects. “He is large, comes equipped with a bazooka arm and a freakishly twitched up athlete.”

He then goes on to say, “If you were building a quarterback for today’s NFL, you would mimic everything Richardson possesses physically.”

The NFL is moving on from the stationary, pocket passer QB and looking for mobile, play-making guys under center. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like it, that’s what’s happening.

And for a rebuilding franchise like the Colts, why wouldn’t you take a shot at a potential league wrecker like AR? Nobody can do what he can do physically. We all know he’s a project guy before he can be a consistent starter in the NFL, but if a team thinks they can develop him, they won’t hesitate to take him.

It would shock the country, but AR’s draft stock has only been climbing since the season ended. With the combine coming up where he gets to showcase his athleticism, it will only get better.

Sure, the odds are low that it happens. But the Gator QB could go from 6-6 to #1 overall in just a few months.

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