Ought to the Colts be anxious about Anthony Richardson coming into the 2024 season?

The Indianapolis Colts‘ 2024 season hinges on quarterback Anthony Richardson. The No. 4 general decide within the 2023 NFL Draft flashed his potential as a rookie in 4 begins, however a shoulder damage ended his first NFL season prematurely. After an up-and-down efficiency towards vanilla defenses within the preseason, what ought to Colts followers expect in 2024? 

The expertise Richardson possesses is obvious — and he is 6-feet-4, 244 kilos. The previous Florida broke QB athletic information on the NFL Scouting Mix, and have become simply the fourth participant in NFL historical past to throw three touchdowns and rush for 3 touchdowns in his first 4 profession video games. The opposite gamers had been Daunte Culpepper, Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III. 

So, is Richardson going to be Newton or RG3? Or perhaps one thing in between? There’s appreciable hype round Richardson coming into his second season, and what occurs over the subsequent 4 months will straight have an effect on how we view him as a franchise quarterback. Ought to the Colts and their followers have some concern blended in with that optimism?

Can he develop fast sufficient?

Regardless of a few of the splashy performs in 2023, Richardson was not essentially the most polished thrower of the soccer. That is anticipated from any rookie, however the 22-year-old is among the most uncooked first-round quarterbacks we have ever seen. He made six begins in highschool, 13 in faculty after which simply 4 in his first skilled season. 

Richardson accomplished simply 53.8% of his passes in his closing collegiate season and accomplished 59.5% of his passes in 2023. The difficulty is not arm energy, however accuracy and consistency on contact throws. Richardson has proven the power to transform the robust throws each beginning quarterback must make, however it’s clearly a piece in progress. He tried simply 84 passes in 4 video games, however Richardson’s 21% dangerous throw proportion ranked second-worst amongst all quarterbacks who began Week 1 in 2023 (h/t Professional Soccer Reference).

I am certain you noticed the headlines concerning the Cincinnati Bengals taunting Richardson throughout their joint practices. Telling him to cease holding the ball and throw it. Asking if “all he does is run?” and that he “does not see his receivers.” Whereas joint practices are filled with this type of discuss, a few of these criticisms ring true. 

In Richardson’s first preseason motion towards the Denver Broncos, he accomplished 2 of 4 passes for 25 yards. On his first drive, Richardson threw a foul go forward of tight finish Kylen Granson that ought to have been picked off by Damarri Mathis. On his second drive, Richardson threw one other dangerous go to Granson on third down, this time behind him on a crossing route, which prohibited the tight finish from making it throughout the sticks for a primary down. The Colts picked up 30 yards on the seven performs Richardson ran at quarterback. 

Towards the Bengals in preseason Week 2, Richardson accomplished 7 of 8 passes for 65 yards and accomplished a straightforward beneath landing go to Adonai Mitchell on his first possession. He got here out throwing instantly, finishing a pleasant go to Alec Pierce downfield for a acquire of 18 yards off play motion. 

Richardson additionally confirmed off his fast launch with one other completion to Pierce for a acquire of 13 on a third-and-10, after which a 12-yard completion to Michael Pittman Jr. on the very subsequent play. 

Richardson did have a little bit of a excessive throw to Andrew Ogletree on first-and-goal that would have resulted in a landing, however he accomplished the throw he wanted to make throughout the center to Mitchell for the landing on the subsequent play.

Nevertheless, after that spectacular opening drive, Richardson accomplished simply 1 of 6 passes for 21 yards and one interception, which was a pick-six.

We do not have to research the interception to dying. It was both a foul throw or a miscommunication on the route. However that wasn’t the one dangerous play Richardson had after his opening drive. Following the pick-six, Richardson additionally missed a wide-open Mitchell on third-and-6 excessive. This got here proper as Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit had been discussing Richardson’s want to enhance within the passing recreation when it got here to each accuracy and contact. 

The Colts picked up a complete of 24 yards on Richardson’s closing three drives towards Bengals backups working vanilla coverages. It was referred to by many individuals as “the total Anthony Richardson expertise.”

The query is how a lot enchancment Richardson could make as a passer in 2024. Simply because he possesses a rocket for an arm doesn’t assure all the intricacies of the passing recreation will click on for a younger participant who hasn’t performed a lot soccer.

Harm issues

That is truly the principle cause I’ve issues about Richardson transferring ahead. If actual life had been like “Madden” and we might flip off accidents, I’d really feel a lot better about him as my franchise quarterback.

You already know by now that Richardson performed simply 4 video games in 2023 earlier than the shoulder damage landed him on injured reserve. However do you know he completed simply a type of contests wholesome? He needed to exit the season opener vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars attributable to a foot damage, after which he suffered a concussion in Week 2 that additionally value him Week 3. Richardson completed the 29-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams efficiently, however then suffered his season-ending damage vs. Tennessee the next Sunday. 

Sure, Richardson must be good concerning the hits he takes, however he is additionally going to should take some hits. Richardson’s means to run and his athleticism are what makes him an X-factor as a quarterback, and with that naturally comes the chance of taking hits. Richardson taking part in 100% of offensive snaps only one time in his rookie season results in questions on being damage inclined. I am certain I wasn’t alone in being instantly afraid Richardson was going to be injured when he was strip-sacked from behind within the second quarter vs. the Bengals.

In conclusion

Richardson did sufficient in his first 4 NFL video games to provide sufficient coal for his hype practice to maintain rolling all offseason. His inventory is so excessive that every one three of our CBS Sports NFL fantasy experts have Richardson as a top-six quarterback to draft this upcoming season. However what precisely are his expectations in 2024? I’d argue they’re to remain wholesome and to do sufficient to show that he is the way forward for the franchise — that he is clearly making strides because the “Cam clone” followers hope he might be.

Richardson does have one unimaginable factor going for him in head coach Shane Steichen, whom I consider is an underrated offensive thoughts. With out his QB1, the first-year lead man took the third-worst scoring offense to No. 10 within the league, and the No. 27 offense in whole yards per recreation to No. 15. He is somebody who can get essentially the most out of Richardson’s potential. But it surely stays to be seen how rapidly he can develop on this league, and if he can keep wholesome.