INDIANAPOLIS — Anthony Richardson rejected the premise that he’s entering the NFL scouting combine with a label that he’s a project quarterback. The Florida prospect, the player whose draft stock is surging despite only playing one full season, believes he’s as game-ready as any of the other premier passers in the draft.
“I don't even know what that means, ‘project label,’” Richardson said Friday. “But I’m willing to bring anything and everything that need from me. I'm going to work hard. I'm going to be dedicated to my craft. And I'm just going to be a leader in that organization. So, just grow and continue to grow.”
Once considered by most pundits as the consensus fourth-best quarterback in this year’s draft class, the 6-4, 236-pound Richardson’s raw talent and envious physique is capturing enough national attention and buzz to consider his being selected within the top 10 picks. Richardson played in just 22 games for the Gators, and his 53.8 completion percentage last season carries some concern about his accuracy along with totals in yardage , touchdowns and interceptions that leave more to be desired.
Richardson, 21, conceded that his mechanics must improve. He’s spent the offseason adjusting his hips, his feet, his throwing motion, which will be the subject of scrutiny when quarterbacks throw in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. He acknowledged his completion percentage wasn’t “great,” but also appeared to blame his receivers by saying “I can’t also catch every pass.”
“When it comes to touch , you know, if you watch my film, I definitely can add some touch to this schemes,” Richardson said. “It's just growing up, I've had a lot of people telling me I'm throwing it too hard. So, when I'm trying to lighten up, it's not as accurate as I want it to be. So, I don't care if somebody's complaining about I'm throwing it hard. They better catch it.