Scout compares Colts’ Anthony Richardson to two All-Pro QBs

Though Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson’s rookie season was cut short due to a shoulder injury in Week 4, he made enough of an impression on one NFL scout who believes the 22-year-old is a mix of two pretty accomplished quarterbacks.

In the Athlon Sports 2024 NFL season preview magazine, a scout stated that Richardson reminds him of two All-Pro signal-callers, both of whom won a league MVP — Baltimore Ravens passer Lamar Jackson and former Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton.

“Saw enough out of Anthony Richardson to understand he’s a cross between Lamar Jackson and Cam Newton as a runner and has some real upside as a passer,” the scout said . “If he played a full season, I think he would have been challenging C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.”

Rivaling the numbers Stroud put up is a bold claim, especially considering when Richardson’s numbers are extrapolated over a full 17-game season (2,452 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, four interceptions), they don’t come close to what Stroud accomplished (4,108 yards passing, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions).

But the point about Richardson’s running ability is a solid one. He rushed for 136 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries in four games. At that pace, he would’ve ended up with 578 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground had he played the full year.

Those numbers would have led all QBs in rushing touchdowns by two (Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen both had 15) and been good for fourth in rushing yards, behind Jackson (821), Justin Fields (657) and Hurts (605.)

Trying to find the right NFL player comparison for Richardson is a bit tricky given the limited sample size, but the consensus seems to be he’s likely closer to Newton as a passer and Jackson as a runner.

Newton averaged approximately 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air with 511 yards and six rushing scores per season in his 11-year career. Jackson’s numbers are similar. He averages 2,600 yards passing and 20 touchdowns with 876 yards rushing and nearly five scores on the ground per season.