Colts' Anthony Richardson Named Team Captain After Being No. 4 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

Anthony Richardson has earned the ultimate respect of his teammates after a solid training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback was named one of the team's captains for the 2023 season on Thursday alongside DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, Ryan Kelly, Shaq Leonard, Kenny Moore II and Quenton Nelson, the team announced.

The Colts selected Richardson with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft out of Florida. He was one of the top quarterback prospects alongside Bryce Young, who was selected by the Carolina Panthers, and C.J. Stroud, who was selected by the Houston Texans.

Richardson played just 13 games in college with the Gators, and there were pre-draft concerns about his accuracy and lack of starting experience.

Some of those concerns were on display during the preseason as Richardson completed 13-of-29 passes for 145 yards and an interception in two games. He also rushed for 45 yards on seven carries.

However, ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Thursday that the Colts are pleased with Richardson's development to this point and believe he is further along than pre-draft projections.

"Don't take this the wrong way; I love Richardson's talent and think he has a chance to be a superstar," Graziano wrote. "So do the Colts. In fact, they actually think he's further along than the pre-draft evaluations had us believe. There are going to be throws and drives and even whole games in which he does things that other people simply can't physically do."

Although Richardson may have had his on-field struggles throughout training camp and the preseason, he has carried himself in a way that has earned him the respect of his teammates, and that should go a long way during the regular season.

The Colts open Week 1 on on Sept. 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.