Why former GM believes Colts selecting Anthony Richardson was an unmitigated risk

A former NFL GM believes the Colts' evaluators caved into an overbearing owner and made a questionable call when they selected Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.

"This had to be a painful process with an impatient owner (Jim Irsay) lurking and probably mandating they take a QB one way or another," wrote The Athletic's Randy Mueller, a former Saints and Dolphins GM. "I, for one, could not have chosen the direction the Colts went in. It was just too big of a leap of faith for me."

Richardson is not a polished prospect like former No. 1 overall picks Joe Burrow (Bengals) or Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars). In one season as Florida's starter, he completed 53.8 percent of his passes, threw 17 TDs and nine interceptions.
 
Nonetheless, Irsay loved Richardson throughout the draft process. "We felt like if we had the No. 1 pick in the draft, we would've taken Anthony," Irsay said in a news conference after the draft.

Indianapolis needs a viable starting QB since they've revolved through seven after former Pro Bowler Andrew Luck retired in 2019. Gardner Minshew is a decent backup but has an 8-16 starting record. Richardson could become a good starter because of his speed (4.43 40-yard dash), size (6-foot-4, 244 pounds) and phenomenal arm strength. However, the 20-year-old needs time to develop.

Irsay, however, indicated he wants Richardson to play immediately. "The primary reason why you're starting him opening game is because he gets better by playing," he said. Irsay should ease the pressure because he's rushing to find the Colts' next franchise QB, an endeavor that may fail if he keeps forcing the issue.