Colts rookie Anthony Richardson is poised for Fantasy Football superstardom in Year 1.
The quarterback position is the most valuable in all of sports. An ace pitcher in baseball and multi-time NBA MVPs like Nikola Jokic may have a legitimate gripe with that statement, but I’ll say it again with my chest. No position in major sports is more important than quarterback. Period.
However, this is not always the case with its Fantasy Football counterpart. Often, the quarterback position is looked at as an afterthought. This is because the difference between QB3 or QB4 is marginal compared to QB11 or QB12. Simply put, the position is “nerfed” in Fantasy Football.
Anthony Richardson Is Destined For Fantasy Football Superstardom
For all my two-quarterback players out there — I see you. Maybe one day that will become the norm, but as for now, one quarterback leagues still dominate the mainstream. Until that changes, signal-callers will continue being neglected at Fantasy Football drafts. With most managers waiting until the later rounds to land a QB1, selecting the correct guy from Rounds 7-10 is imperative to a team’s success.
Of the quarterbacks coming off the board in this range, one name stands above the rest as a potential Fantasy Football League winner. It is the alien himself, Anthony Richardson. The former Florida star arrived to Indianapolis after going No. 4 overall at the 2023 NFL Draft. And now he is poised to take control of the Colts offense in Year 1.
Assuming Richardson wins the quarterback battle with Gardner Minshew, he has all the traits to be a high-end scorer in the fantasy realm. Let’s dive deeper and analyze what makes the one-of-one athlete a worthwhile dart throw at the middle of your Fantasy Football draft.
Reason No. 1: Richardson possesses elite running potential from Day 1
It should come as no surprise that the 6-foot-4, 240-pound specimen is a handful to deal with as a runner. Richardson blazed a 4.4 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, cementing his status as the most physically gifted athlete to ever play quarterback in the NFL.
Being big is one thing. Being fast is another. But does he know how to use his God-given traits? Absolutely. Richardson exhibits superb vision and patience as a runner. He allows his blocks to develop and is adept at using his eyes to sell the RPO and play action snaps.
The first-rounder boasts long arms and a strong lower half that he uses to push the pile and find extra yardage. If you thought Jalen Hurts was a cheat code on the goal line, just wait until Richardson lines up under center in the red zone. I feel bad for anyone who rosters a Colts running back because the Indy quarterback will hog the touchdown production inside 20 yards.
Reason No. 2: Richardson is not as raw as many analysts say
Don’t get me wrong, Richardson has A LOT of work to do to reach his sky-high potential. He only started 13 games in college, and of those games, there were several bad throws. However, almost all the misses could be chalked up to touch (or lack thereof). This is an easier correction to make than poor form.
As far as fundamentals go, Richardson actually uses his eyes at an elite level. He manipulates defenders and shows an ability to look them off and free up space for his pass catchers. The footwork is inconsistent based on college tape, but reports say this is an area that head coach Shane Steichen is working heavily on in training camp.
If Richardson can rein it in and hit the layups, he has already proven to be an elite deep-ball thrower on tape and in practices since arriving to Indianapolis. The former Gator graded out with a sparkling 93.1 deep pass grade (via PFF), highlighted by 17 big-time throws.
In layman’s terms, Richardson has a bazooka — and he knows how to use it downfield. His absurd arm strength will result in long touchdowns throughout the season, which always feels good from a real-life and Fantasy Football perspective. In addition to Richardson’s running prowess, his arm talent puts him over the top as a sleeper in drafts.
Reason No. 3: The running game — with or without Jonathan Taylor — will take pressure off of Richardson
The idea of Jonathan Taylor getting traded would put a bit of a damper on things for the Colts. But given Steichen’s background with running back committees, it is far from a death knell. Still, Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league when healthy and would ease the pressure on Richardson if fences can be mended between the star ball carrier and the franchise.
Taylor might take more touchdowns from Richardson than you’d ideally like to see as a fantasy football manager. But he would make things significantly easier on the young signal-caller between the 20-yard lines. If there is anything to keep defenses honest, it is a stout running game. Indy should have that in 2023 whether JT is on the roster or not.
Veteran Kenyan Drake was signed recently as a depth piece and camp body. And with the uncertainty surrounding Taylor, the Colts have interest in Kareem Hunt, as well. I expect Richardson to be the biggest red zone threat on the team regardless, so fantasy owners should take him at his current ADP and not look back.
Reason No. 4: The Colts offensive line should be better in 2023
Piggybacking off the last section, new head coach Shane Steichen butters his bread by establishing the offensive line. He loves to assert dominance and punch opposing defenses in the mouth. Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, and Ryan Kelly are a few long-time starters on the line, all of whom suffered the worst seasons of their career in 2022.
The arrival of Steichen should give them the figurative kick in the butt to bounce back. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann showed considerable growth down the stretch last season; hopefully, that continues. Right guard is more of a question mark, but if the other four positions carry their weight, I might be able to play guard (kidding).
Reason No. 5: Shane Steichen’s history of developing young quarterbacks quickly
The Colts will look to Richardson to lead the franchise to its first postseason berth since 2020. Thankfully for the 21-year-old prospect, Steichen has a history of bringing the best out of his quarterbacks. Do Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts ring a bell?
Back in Herbert’s debut campaign, Steichen had to craft a system around the youngster on the fly. Week 1 starter Tyrod Taylor was knocked out of Week 2 action after a trainer mishap resulted in a punctured lung for the veteran. In Taylor’s absence, Herbert stepped in and posted numbers that a rookie hadn’t put up since Andrew Luck.
Once Steichen moved on to Philadelphia to serve as offensive coordinator, his wheels began turning. Under the new playcaller, Hurts led the Eagles to the playoffs in his first full year as a starter before taking them all the way to the Super Bowl in 2022. As talented as Hurts is, Steichen deserves a substantial amount of credit.
Richardson possesses even better physical attributes. Hurts and Herbert are ahead of the Colts quarterback in terms of processing and overall mechanics, so this isn’t me saying Richardson will definitely be a top-five Fantasy Football quarterback. But, given Steichen’s track record, I’m willing to bet on the upside in the middle of drafts.