Anthony Richardson Rumors: Seahawks 'at Least Thinking' About Drafting QB at No. 5

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly considering using the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson if he is available.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, representatives from other NFL teams believe the Seahawks are "at least thinking about" taking Richardson, as are "several" other teams picking inside the top seven.

Richardson is one of four quarterbacks considered a lock to go in the first round along with Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and Kentucky's Will Levis.

Of the four teams picking ahead of Seattle, three of them have a significant need at quarterback in the Carolina Panthers at No. 1, Houston Texans at No. 2 and Indianapolis Colts at No. 4.

While there has been some buzz about the Texans going in a different direction, the Panthers and Colts feel like locks to take a quarterback, which would leave the Seahawks with two of the big four quarterbacks potentially available to them.

Richardson had the least starting experience in college of the top four quarterbacks, as he started for only one season at Florida, but it can be argued that he possesses the highest ceiling as well.

At 6'4" and 244 pounds, Richardson by far has the size advantage over his peers. He also turned in the most impressive performance at the NFL Scouting Combine, setting quarterback records in the vertical jump and broad jump and posting one of the best 40-yard dash times ever by a quarterback at 4.43 seconds.

His size, speed and arm strength makes Richardson arguably the most intriguing prospect in the 2023 draft class, so while the Seahawks may not have an immediate need at quarterback, it could be tough for them to pass him up.

After trading future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos last offseason, little was expected of the Seahawks in 2022 with a quarterback duo of journeyman veteran Geno Smith and former Bronco Drew Lock.

Smith won the job coming out of training camp, and he turned in one of the most surprising quarterback seasons in recent memory.

In addition to going 9-8 and leading Seattle to the playoffs, Smith completed a league-leading 69.8 percent of his passes for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection.

The Seahawks re-signed Smith during the offseason, but at the age of 32 and with only one quality season to his credit, he isn't a sure thing to continue being a productive NFL starter for years to come.

One factor that may make the Seahawks more comfortable with gambling on Richardson at No. 5 is the fact that they also own the 20th overall pick, so they could address a position of immediate need with that selection.

Of course, it is possible the Seahawks won't even have the option to select Richardson, as Carolina, Houston and Indianapolis are all potential landing spots for him, or a team like the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons or Tennessee Titans could trade ahead of Seattle to take him.