NFL Draft 2023 Rumors: QB Anthony Richardson 'Not Getting Out of the Top 15'

Florida's Anthony Richardson might be the most divisive prospect in the 2023 NFL draft, but teams will likely take a chance on him early.

"He's not getting out of the Top 15," ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. said on Wednesday's Mock Draft Special. "That's from people in the league that I respect and have had great opinions over the years. The talent...is in abundance. You're talking about a howitzer for an arm. Tremendous runner—he'll be a top 3-5 runner immediately in the NFL—but can he be accurate enough throwing the football?"

Richardson is considered the third-best quarterback by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department in its post-Senior Bowl rankings, listed at No. 19 overall. His upside could still be enough to go inside the top 10.

"He's a make-your-draft or break-your-heart, boom-or-bust quarterback all the way, but I'm hearing he could go as high as 9," Kiper added.

The Carolina Panthers currently hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft.

Richardson got his first chance to start this season and impressed in a lot of ways, totaling 2,549 passing yards with 17 touchdowns. He added 654 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, producing some highlight-reel plays:

On the other hand, he completed only 53.8 percent of his passes and threw nine interceptions.

His inconsistency as a passer is enough for some teams to stay away, but his potential as a dual-threat star could have others trading up to land him.

According to Benjamin Solak of The Ringer, one scout said Richardson should be in the conversation as the top quarterback in the class, along with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis.

There are some quarterback-needy teams outside the top 15, including the Washington Commanders (16) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19). Depending on how this offseason goes, the Baltimore Ravens (23) and New York Giants (26) could also be looking for a new quarterback. However, they might need to be aggressive in a trade in order to land Richardson.

Carolina could be in better position with the ninth pick to take its next franchise quarterback after misfiring on trades for Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.