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Florida's Anthony Richardson among 50 biggest NFL draft busts
TL;DR
Florida's Anthony Richardson is listed as the 25th biggest NFL draft bust by USA TODAY Sports. He struggled during his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts after being a highly touted college quarterback.
Key points
- Anthony Richardson is ranked 25th among NFL draft busts.
- He struggled during his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
- The NFL draft is a critical but risky process for teams.
- Many highly touted college players fail to meet expectations in the NFL.
- Nate Davis updated his list of the 50 biggest NFL draft busts.
Anthony RichardsonIndianapolis ColtsFlorida Gators
The NFL draft kicks off on Thursday and teams around the league are preparing for what is ostensibly the most important avenue of roster-building in the sport.
However, the event also presents a conundrum for many franchises, as drafting young talent is often a roll of the dice. How a player performed in college or at various scouting events like the combine is not necessarily predictive of how they will pan out in the pro league. Team staffs usually have plenty of data to work with, but at the end of the day, the individual has to step up and execute under the bright lights.
One of the dark sides of the draft comes from highly heralded players falling flat at the highest level of competition — young men who stood head and shoulders above their collegiate peers, or presented superlative physical attributes, but failed to fulfill their potential in the pros. Ahead of the upcoming amateur selection process, USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis revisited his 50 biggest NFL draft busts of the last 50 years, making a few updates to his latest entry.
Among those mentioned was former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson, who checks in at No. 25 on the list after fizzling out with the Indianapolis Colts over his first three seasons.
"He joined a quarterback lineage that included Johnny Unitas, Bert Jones, Manning, Andrew Luck … and Schlichter and George," Davis begins. "Self-described as a combination of Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson prior to the 2023 draft, Richardson has thus far been a lot closer to Schlichter − in terms of on-field performance − to date in his career, effectively replaced by II, and over the course of his career amid his immaturity, injuries and ineffectiveness.
Q&A
Why is Anthony Richardson considered a draft bust?
Anthony Richardson is considered a draft bust due to his underwhelming performance in the NFL, particularly during his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
What factors contribute to NFL draft busts like Richardson?
NFL draft busts often result from a combination of high expectations based on college performance, physical attributes, and the inability to adapt to the professional level.
Who compiled the list of the 50 biggest NFL draft busts?
The list of the 50 biggest NFL draft busts was compiled by USA TODAY Sports columnist Nate Davis.
What position did Anthony Richardson play in college?
Anthony Richardson played as a quarterback for the Florida Gators in college.
