NFL Draft Dish: Does Anthony Richardson have a future with the Indianapolis Colts?

The NFL has witnessed another high-profile quarterback head to the bench, as the Colts recently sidelined 2023 fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson. This shift raises questions about Richardson’s long-term future in the league, which we’ll explore in today’s NFL Draft Daily Dish. Alongside Richardson’s situation in Indianapolis, we’ll also examine a key roster need for the Houston Texans as they look to replace a former first-round pick on their offensive line this offseason.

Why Anthony Richardson didn’t turn out in Indianapolis

Things have not gone as planned for the Colts since drafting Anthony Richardson with the fourth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, which led to the team benching him for the foreseeable future. This season, Richardson has completed just 44% of his passes, thrown seven interceptions, and only four touchdowns. Against the blitz, his numbers are particularly concerning, with a league-low completion rate of just 28%.

While this isn’t the impact Indianapolis hoped for from Richardson, his struggles shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with his college days at Florida. At Florida, he completed only 54% of his passes and dropped below 50% in four games. He also struggled with complex defenses, as shown by his mere 33% completion rate against Florida State in his final year with the Gators.

So, why did the Colts invest such a high pick in Richardson? The answer lies in his remarkable athletic potential. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 244 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.4-second 40-yard dash and demonstrated elite arm strength with a 75-yard throw in the air. However, Indianapolis may have overlooked his limitations as a passer. To thrive, he likely needs an NFL system that allows him to rely more on his athleticism, emphasizing rollouts and designed runs.

Even with the right system, Richardson must improve his skills as a passer. His main struggles are with reading defenses—he often misinterprets coverages and defender leverage, which slows down his decision-making. This, along with his lack of anticipation, underscores the need for a simplified offensive scheme that lets him make quick, straightforward reads.

Accuracy is another major issue. According to Blair Quarterback Academy, two main factors contribute to his inaccuracy. The first is inconsistent footwork; his wide base often causes him to overstride and leads to an awkward throwing motion. The second is a tendency to "whip" the ball across his body rather than following through with a more traditional form.

Looking ahead, Richardson’s future with the Colts depends largely on his response to being benched. If he shows maturity and willingness to learn, the coaching staff could break down the game into manageable pieces. This approach would involve regular meetings to review NFL coverages, creating game-like situations in practice to build his confidence, and emphasizing footwork and fundamentals during individual drills.

Houston Texans must address offensive line

An area the Houston Texans must address this offseason, likely during the 2025 NFL Draft, is their offensive line. This season, the Texans are allowing 3.4 sacks per game, ranking 31st in the NFL, with their young players falling short of expectations. Among them is 2022 first-round pick Kenyon Green, who, before a season-ending shoulder injury, struggled as one of the NFL's lowest-rated guards. He allowed 27 pressures and earned a poor pass-blocking grade of 40.9 from Pro Football Focus. His run-blocking grade wasn’t much better, coming in at 45.2.

A promising draft prospect for the Texans in the second round could be Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. Jackson brings an impressive mix of size, speed, and strength. At 320 pounds, he’s one of the larger guards in the 2025 draft class, and he pairs this bulk with notable power, including a 490-pound bench press and a 610-pound squat. His standout trait, however, is his athleticism for his size. He’s consistently able to reach the second level as a blocker and even played left tackle for the Buckeyes against Penn State. Additionally, Jackson recorded a 1.59-second 10-yard split, which would be a record at the NFL Combine for a guard.

Besides targeting a guard early in the 2025 draft, the Texans are likely to draft several offensive linemen on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft and add at least one experienced veteran in free agency.