Anthony Richardson elevates the Colts offense to the top 10

Anthony Richardson’s return to action will propel the Indianapolis Colts’ offense into the top ten by 2024.

Unfortunately, Richardson’s debut season was cut short by season-ending shoulder surgery. While Richardson was sidelined, the Colts were fifth in points scored last season, led by Gardner Minshew, but with Richardson healthy, the offense should take off in 2024.

Richardson didn’t play much last year, as he exited early in a Week Two game with a concussion and again in Week Five with a shoulder injury that terminated his season. In his short games, we saw some growing pains as a receiver, but also great rushing abilities.

Richardson and the Colts offense face some big expectations as they enter their second season.

Gunslinger Mentality

Richardson’s unbelievable arm strength provides the Colts offense with limitless passing game opportunities

While it wasn’t always evident at Florida and in his early career with the Colts, Richardson has an absolute cannon. Richardson isn’t as polished as most rookie quarterbacks, but he possesses the necessary attributes. All the Colts have to do is be willing to unlock his arm strength, which would expand the offensive playbook in a variety of ways.

Anthony Richardson's pro day grades

Arm Strength: ✅pic.twitter.com/cAj7RTDs9y

— Benjamin Cure (@BenjaminCureTV) March 30, 2023

Some things cannot be taught in football, including arm strength. Richardson has it, which allows Shane Steichen to be more imaginative and attack downfield. Fortunately for the Colts, they selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round, who demonstrated explosiveness at Texas. The Colts should be able to attack downfield considerably more now that their quarterback is returned and the wide receiver corps has improved with the signing of Mitchell.

Richardson also stands out for his willingness to make difficult throws. He’s willing to step up in the pocket and absorb significant hits while delivering for his teammates. One of the other advantages of excellent arm strength is good velocity, which Richardson possesses. It enables him to get the ball to tight targets and gives him the confidence to make those throws.

Love this throw by Anthony Richardson!

pic.twitter.com/vRN4yeMnMi

— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) June 30, 2024

It’s not unrealistic to believe that Richardson possesses exceptional characteristics that might propel him into the MVP debate as early as this year.

An Athletic Freak In The Run Game

Richardson’s size and speed provide a spark to the run game that the Colts didn’t have last season

Teams with mobile quarterbacks have an advantage over others, but the Colts have an even greater advantage thanks to Richardson’s extraordinary size. Some of the passing touchdowns you expect from quarterbacks will be eliminated as Richardson scores numerous times in the run game.

Richardson’s arm strength opens the playbook, but his rushing ability expands it even further. He carried the ball 10 times in each of his two full games last season. Maybe that will be reduced owing to Richardson’s injury history, but he’ll still be a much bigger threat in the run game than Minshew, who only had 34 carries all season.

Anthony Richardson

Played 2 full games in 2023
– Scored 22.9 and 31.6 FPts
– 4 Rush TDs in first 3 games played

Averaged 12.5 FPts per game, just from rushing, in his first three games.

Steichen will use ARich around the goal line similar to Hurts.

pic.twitter.com/6BIMfLTNYv

— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) July 9, 2024

Jalen Hurts had 304 carries during Steichen’s two years as offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Richardson is bigger and faster than Hurts, making him a greater threat as a mobile quarterback.

Smart From The Pocket

As raw as Richardson was as a project, he’s very patient in the pocket, with good eyes and pocket presence.

Many people believe Richardson lacks pocket presence since he has limited experience as a starting quarterback, but this is entirely wrong. There is room for growth, but he does a reasonably decent job of standing upright in the pocket and moving his gaze to investigate his choices. However, he has the potential to be one of the best quarterbacks in the pocket because he does not use his legs as an excuse to leave the pocket without reason.

Among the 27 projected starting QBs returning in 2024, Anthony Richardson ranked 5th in catchable throw% vs pressure in 2023.

Top 5:
Dak – 74.5%
Purdy – 65.4%
Lamar – 65.1%
Carr – 64.2%
AR – 63%

Bottom 5:
Bryce – 36.7%
Stafford – 50.7%
Goff – 51.9%
Hurts – 54.9%
Levis – 55% https://t.co/NZjFzuKcX0 pic.twitter.com/zilCp7UgwZ

— Jay Robins 🧾mark (@RobinsLucas) July 9, 2024

Quarterbacks who succeed in the pocket are likely to be the most successful. Steichen doesn’t have to worry about putting up plays that need rapid judgments since Richardson is willing to be patient and let players run their routes. It also allows wide receivers to win their routes without hurrying to get the ball.

Richardson’s pocket passing ability will only improve over time.