NFL exec comps Richardson to mix of Newton, Fields

Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL executive compares Anthony Richardson to cross between Cam Newton, Justin Fields

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 2/24/23

If the Chicago Bears trade out of the top pick in April, there figures to be no shortage of suitors to move up for a quarterback. While C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are widely viewed as the top two prospects at the position, perhaps the most divisive name is Florida Gators QB Anthony Richardson. For all of his raw athletic talent, Richardson has drawn evaluations across the board.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler explained the unusual projections for Richardson on Thursday.

“I can’t remember a bigger variance league-wide, on a feeling about a quarterback than Anthony Richardson. I’ve talked to multiple teams whose scouting departments have first-round grades and fourth-round grades on the same player. We’re talking about the fourth round. He’s immensely talented and that talent should overshadow the fact that he’s considered a bit of a prospect where he should maybe go somewhere and sit a year.”
– Jeremy Fowler

NFL Draft prospect Anthony Richardson compared to former league MVP

Along with the wild projections on Richardson throughout the league, Fowler also dropped a fascinating nugget on what one executive told him about the potential of the talented NFL Draft prospect.

“This quote from an NFL executive sticks with me. He’s Cam Newton and Justin Fields combined. As far as the ability, he has that.”
– Jeremy Fowler

Newton was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers at the height of his powers and won an NFL MVP Award following the 2015 season. And while Justin Fields has only played two seasons in the league, he has shown scintillating athletic ability, especially running in open space -- and enough developmental upside that the Bears seem very open to trading out from the top pick in 2023, instead of taking one of the star QB prospects available.

Both Newton and Fields were or are run-first players in the league, something which very much puts them in similar style company to NFL-hopeful Richardson, who ran for over 600 yards and nine touchdowns during the 2022 college football season.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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