Anthony Richardson: Raiders' next JaMarcus Russell or Josh Allen?
After releasing nine-year starter Derek Carr, the Raiders must find a replacement. Could they take a flier on boom-or-bust prospect Anthony Richardson?
The Athletic's Tashan Reed predicts Las Vegas will trade up and select the Florida QB with the fifth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Richardson is polarizing. He has the measurables scouts love — size (6-foot-4, 232 pounds), speed (around 4.4 in the 40-yard dash) and a big arm — but he only started one season at Florida, posting a 53.8 completion percentage in 12 games.
In the 2007 NFL Draft, the Raiders made QB JaMarcus Russell of LSU the No. 1 overall pick. He also was raw but physically gifted, like Richardson. In three seasons with the Raiders, he went 7-18. By 2010, he was out of the NFL.
Russell, however, was more polished than Richardson, completing 67.8 percent of his passes in his final season at LSU.
Richardson supporters argue he's more like Buffalo's Josh Allen, who completed 56.2 percent of his passes in three seasons at Wyoming but had significant upside.
"Allen had a great throw at the combine when he was coming out — it was like a 70-yard bomb — and it made us all kind of sit up and take notice. Richardson will do that, too," an NFL GM told ESPN's Matt Miller.
Per ESPN Stats and Information, eight of Richardson's 17 TD passes were over 20 yards downfield.
But is he a good match for the Raiders?
Although Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels produced while he was New England's offensive coordinator, he benefited from 11 seasons with Tom Brady.
Also, Richardson is a dual-threat QB who ran 103 times last season. McDaniels isn't well-versed in this area — Brady was a pocket passer.
Regardless, the Raiders appear interested. During the season, ESPN's Pete Thamel spotted Raiders GM Dave Ziegler scouting Richardson against Tennessee.
If the Raiders select him, they must sign a veteran as a potential bridge QB since Richardson may need time to refine his game in the NFL.
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