Anthony Richardson should be the #1 pick in the NFL draft...

Jamarcus Russell and Ryan Leaf went as top two picks.

The NFL can and has done much worse than Anthony Richardson.

 

If Richardson goes the route of Jamarcus Russell or Ryan Leaf, I would not want not be the General Manager having to explain that (Richardson) pick.

 

He won’t be a Top 2 pick so the GMs can rest easy.

Every NFL pick is a gamble. An injury, a Jamarcus Russell, or a head case all result in the same: lost money and lost opportunity.

In order to be successful in the NFL, Richardson will need to do things he has never done in his playing career, most importantly letting go of personal goals and setting new ones.

 

Or Ryan Leaf for that matter.

 

JMR performed better in college. One hell of a lot better. But, yeah, point taken.

 

If he is a first rounder it is only because he is an underwear all American and they fear someone else can develop him and they don’t want to be the one that passed him over. He isn’t ready to play in the SEC much less the NFL. He was great at times against lesser tier teams and we loved his potential. But, name a great qb game he has had. You can’t. So why exactly is he a first rounder?

 

Another good (bad?) Example.

 

Good example of a bad outcome.

 

AR was a failure at Florida because he had too many voices in his ear. He was always thinking too much and not playing naturally. Good kid but was too concerned with protecting himself and too controlled by his agent.

 

The Texans will have one of top picks and desperately need a franchise QB. I think there are a few higher rated QBs at USCw and OSU. Bama QB likely higher as well.

 

I don't think we have to concern ourselves with that after the last couple post season games.

 

In a manner yes. All he’s heard since before HS is NFL, NFL, and NFL.

Once he’s in the NFL there will be no option of protecting himself, not going all out, not giving 100% effort, etc. And it’s not just during games, you’re talking training camp, film study, off-season preparations, game preparations, fundamental drills in practice, etc. Thoudands of hours of prep, for 60 minutes of games.

Can he handle not being the man for 2-3 years? Can he accept that he still has much to learn about the QB position and needs to work on it hard? Can he shake off a horrendous 4-INT performance and come back to lead his team the following week?

There is no step past the NFL to save yourself for.

 

Just one of many names I could care less if I hear in the future or don't. No ill will here because nothing is owed. I do hope the NIL people got their money's worth, however. But, don't take too long moving on.

 

Or he will manage his money wisely and set himself up longterm. My cousin married a guy that was picked on the first day and although he made it to at least the third contract, his first contract is still invested and they do quite well.

 

Lol.. you mean all the open receivers? Yep, that's the reality of it.

 

This is the most honest and accurate, IMHO, assessment of AR as a QB. One way or another we will see it unfold before our eyes. And I do expect to see him running the ball more than people here think.

 

The lack of running was 100% schematic.

Napiers QBs do not run a ton. In 2021 his QB got about 100 carries. In 2022 AR got 103

No doubt Mullen was a better O coach, and emphasized QB runs.

In 2021 AR ran it 51 times vs 64 passes

2022 it was 103 runs vs 327

AR didn’t become some scared running in 2022. It was purely scheme (Napier) and opposing DCs emphasizing the edge on the ZR

Edit: One can argue Napiers run to pass mix is more sustainable than Mullens. And there is a backup component to ARs 2021 numbers. EJ was 143 runs to 346 passes. Scheme matters. EJs YPC went from 5.3 to 0.5

 

In think you missed my point.

He will run the ball more, because he will NOT find/see the open receivers in the complex NFL schemes that they run. So, therefore he will run the ball or get sacked.

 

The offense is also more complex. Of course he may get stuck with Todd Bowles but most NFL OCs actually scheme guys open. He will get more open throws in the NFL than he did this year.