Not many prospects coming into this year’s draft are as polarizing as Anthony Richardson. The chatter around AR started months ago as he was touted as one of the best quarterbacks in college football. This was despite only having only 22 starts at the position and a career completion percentage of 54.7%.
Things really started to heat up for AR in the NFL combine. He was measured at 6’4 and 244 lbs! Plenty of guys come into the league at this size, but not very many of them play the quarterback position. He quickly drew comparisons to Tim Tebow and our own Cam Newton. AR even compared himself to Cam and said he called himself Cam Jackson in high school. When you see a player who is this rare, they become interesting, and it’s hard not to pull for them. AR continued to put on an athletic clinic at the combine. AR delivered a 40 time of 4.44, ironically besting Tebow, and our beloved Cam. He then went on to set records for quarterbacks in the broad jump and vertical jump testing. Everyone has seen the play where AR jumped over a defender while trying to escape pressure. With such a rarity in athleticism for a quarterback, it’s not hard to see why Panthers fans quickly fell in love with AR.
Given Richardson’s athletic prowess and comparisons to Cam, he definitely could be the #1 overall pick for the Panthers, right? Well, not so fast. It’s widely understood AR needs to develop his skills at quarterback. He hasn’t started much more than a season full of games at the college level and was inconsistent throughout. The NFL will be a challenge, and there will be a learning curve Richardson. Carolina feels like they are ready to win now, as we just missed hosting a home playoff game in our weak division. Reich is committed to a 4-year deal and doesn’t have time to grow a quarterback up to the pro level. Especially if said quarterback could need up to 2 years to be ready. It’s OK that AR needs some time. He’s only 21 years old, and I could see him contributing in year 1, but not full-time starting. AR is a luxury that Reich, unfortunately, doesn’t have.
Where does Richardson end up? With a myriad of quarterback-thirsty teams picking in the top ten of this year’s draft, the short answer is early. The Colts have the #4 pick and would be wise to choose Richardson, given their new head coach did a fantastic job with Hurts. Next up is the Seahawks. They have the luxury of being able to grow Richardson, given Geno Smith just signed a new deal and played his best ever last year. It hurts my Panthers heart to think of a Cam-compared prospect going to Seattle, given our history with that team. Next up is the Raiders, who recently signed Jimmy G. They, like Seattle, have the luxury of picking AR. It very well could have been their plan all along. Josh McDaniels really liked Cam in New England and may want to try his hand with Superboy. The next and absolute worst scenario for us is AR going to the Falcons at #8. ATL claims they are going with Ridder this year, but the temptation to grab a blue-chip QB may be too much to pass up. If this happens, there could be heartache in Carolina for years to come for not having the luxury of time for Richardson.
By Deese (@Deezeillskillz)
Note from the editor/aka Tony Dunn….give it up for Deezeillskillz first article on Carolina Cat Chronicles…..my man crushed it like AR crushed the Combine!