Expert Analysis
3/4/23
2 min read
Anthony Richardson Has Historic NFL Combine Performance
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (scouting report) came to the 2023 NFL Combine in Indianapolis to show off his athleticism.
Mission accomplished.
Richardson ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash on Saturday, after weighing in at 244 pounds. Only seven quarterbacks have run sub-4.5s since 2000, but Richardson is the first to do so weighing 230 or more pounds. That clocking also tied for the sixth-fastest of any player weighing at least 240 pounds at the combine since 2003 (official data only goes back to 2003).
That was just the warm-up for an unparalleled display of explosiveness. Richardson also set modern-day combine records for quarterbacks in the vertical jump (40.5 inches) and the long jump (10 feet, 9 inches).
Anthony Richardson vs. Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in the Simulcam.
Guess who wins? 😏
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5QEcM0RleM— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023
Richardson's 40 time included him reaching a top speed of 23.44 mph, per NextGenStats and Zebra Technology. That's significantly faster than the top speed achieved by any ball carrier wearing a helmet and pads last season, which was 22.11 mph.
Cam Newton, a common comparison for Richardson based on size, ran a 4.60 40-yard dash at the combine in 2011. Given Richardson's speed and overall athletic profile, scouts looking for a new comparison might be wasting their time. Richardson could be the rare player that defies all comps.
Anthony Richardson just set the QB record for vertical jump with a 40.5" jump.
He's 244 pounds. Wild. @GatorsFB
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/829XPJP019— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023
Still, if it's comparisons you want ...
- At 6-foot-4 1/2, Richardson is taller than San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
- At 244 pounds, Richardson is heavier than Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro linebacker Haason Reddick.
- Richardson's hand measured 10 1/2 inches, larger than former All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Richardson's 40.5-inch vertical is higher than that of Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro receiver Davante Adams.
- Richardson's 10-foot-9 broad jump is longer than that of free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The questions around Richardson, however, will center around production and experience vs. the unprecedented athletic potential on display on Saturday.
In his final season with the Gators, Richardson threw for 2,549 yards and added 26 total touchdowns (17 passing). He made just 13 starts during his three seasons at Florida and threw 24 TD passes to 15 interceptions. It's the tantalizing potential he showed — far more than his production — that teams are going to have to project at the NFL level.
Richardson currently ranks No. 14 overall and QB4 on The 33rd Team's 2023 NFL Draft Big Board.
