On Tuesday, during the NFL Combine, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes said they have to do a better job solving the QB position.
Brad Holmes says he has to do a better job of solving the backup QB position. Said he wasn’t satisfied with their situation entering 2022 pic.twitter.com/bzGup6zLHC
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) March 1, 2023
So the Combine news that was dropped earlier on Wednesday might come to no surprise to Lions fans.
Source also says Anthony Richardson has met with the #Giants and #Lions, as well as a few more teams. https://t.co/Sn37NVetn7
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 2, 2023
Who is Anthony Richardson?
The quarterback out of the University of Florida is just 22 years old and one of the most athletically gifted quarterbacks in this year’s NFL Draft. He stands at 6’4, 225 lbs, the sophomore quarterback threw 2,549 yards with 17 TDs and nine INTs. He also rushed for 654 yards. So how does his scouting report look? Per NFL.com:
Dual-threat quarterback with an elite physical profile and a lot of work that needs to be done to reach a potentially high ceiling. Richardson’s frame, arm talent and mobility will demand respect as a potential first-round option. He has the ability to make plays on the move that very few of his NFL peers will be able to make. However, but his accuracy on short and simple throws left much to be desired due, in part, to shoddy footwork and inconsistent rhythm.
The footwork issues can be corrected, but the challenge will be determining whether he can be at least a functionally accurate passer at the next level. Richardson’s potential to strike with the deep ball, attack the secondary from sideline to sideline and gash teams with his legs creates greater leeway in his projection as a developmental prospect. Ultimately, he will succeed or fail based on his ability to play with better post-snap recognition and deliver the football with consistency.
If he falls to number 18 and Detroit drafts him, it could be knowing that he would sit behind Jared Goff based on a strong NFL Combine performance. But overall, he looks like a long-term project.