Expected by many to be the third quarterback off the board in this April’s NFL Draft, former Florida Gator Anthony Richardson has already received the dreaded “project” label from analysts and pundits alike.
Richardson confidently dismissed the moniker while speaking with reporters on Friday, 24 hours before he’ll throw for scouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
“I don’t even know what that means, ‘project label,'” Richardson said via Gennaro Filice of NFL.com. “I’m willing to bring anything and everything that they need from me. I’m gonna work, I’m gonna be dedicated to my craft, I’m gonna be a leader in that organization. Just growing and continue to grow.”
Despite Richardson’s exciting versatility, the athletic, 6-foot-4 236-pound quarterback still has his doubters, much like the two former MVP quarterbacks he looked up to most before starring at Florida: Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Due to his admiration for Newton and Jackson, Richardson revealed that he created a unique nickname for himself while wreaking havoc on opposing defenses for Eastside High School.
“I tried to implement both of those guys in my life,” Richardson said. “And I started calling myself Cam Jackson in 11th grade, just trying to make big plays.”
Amid reports that Richardson “crushed” the interview process at the combine, if he can have a good showing Sunday throwing the football, his draft stock might be on the rise.
Per NFL Mock Draft Database, the consensus on Richardson says he’s the 11th-best player available among the prospect pool, projected to go No. 9 to the Carolina Panthers.
In his latest mock draft for ESPN, draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has the Seattle Seahawks selecting Richardson following a trade with the Panthers.
Richardson is one of the more intriguing quarterbacks in this year’s draft and has star potential written all over him. However, like almost every prospect coming into the league at the most critical position in the sport, where Richardson ultimately lands will go a long way into determining whether he’ll succeed in the NFL.
With that in mind, Carolina seems like a safe landing spot for Richardson, somewhere he could grow under new head coach Frank Reich, who has a history of helping QBs with various skill sets thrive.
