17 May 2023 , 21:50
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Anthony Richardson is already hugely impressing his new Indianapolis Colts team, with surprises that the quarterback is not performing as advertised.
Heading into the NFL Draft, the Colts were seen as the team likely to draft Kentucky's Will Levis - the quarterback in the class with the most experience and already running an NFL-style offense.
However, they surprised everyone when they instead selected Richardson from Florida. The 20-year-old is an incredibly athletic, explosive, and dynamic quarterback who many saw as the player with the most talent in the entire draft.
But there had been huge questions around his game, with his inconsistencies as a passer and inexperience after starting just 13 games during his time with the Gators.
With both Levis and Richardson available, the Colts decided to go with the latter - being blown away by what they saw from him at the Scouting Combine.
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And after just a few sessions in practice with the team, it appears that the Colts are not seeing those raw signs which many suggested would be prevalent.
Instead, local reporters from the Kokomo Tribune have noted that the Colts have been hugely impressed by Richardson's awareness while showing off 'high-level plays' throughout their mini-camp.
The fact that Richardson is already thriving gives him a much clearer path to starting in his rookie season, with him only having to compete with Gardner Minshew.
Richardson looks in line to start from day oneSpeaking to NBC Sports a few weeks ago, the team's general manager Chris Ballard gave every indication that he wants to see Richardson win the job from week one.
He said: "We gotta get him in here and see where he is. We don’t know. He turns 21 this month—he’s so young still.
"Let us figure out what he can handle before making any decisions. But there are not many people who can do what he does. When Morocco Brown (Colts chief executive) watched him, he came back and told me: 'I’m watching this kid in practice, and I’m drooling.'"
The Colts might have to change their offensive style with Richardson, but it could suit them perfectly while being a run-heavy team - having one of the most explosive running back in the league in Jonathan Taylor.