McShay's surprising pick for 'most talented QB' in the 2023 draft

Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Todd McShay's surprising pick for 'most talented quarterback' in the 2023 NFL Draft

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 2/23/23

When thinking of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft, names like Bryce Young from Alabama, C.J. Stroud from Ohio State and Will Levis from Kentucky likely come to mind.

There is one potentially "under the radar" quarterback who seems to be shooting up boards, though, and that's Anthony Richardson from Florida. He's so intriguing as a prospect, in fact, that long-time NFL Draft analyst and talking head Todd McShay recently said on SportsCenter that he believes Richardson is the most physically talented quarterback available.

"He's the most talented quarterback in this entire class, just physically," McShay said, according to 247Sports. "(Richardson is) 6-4, 220-plus pounds, (has the) ability to drive the ball down the field, but he is not ready. So you've got to have a system in place."

It seems as if Richardson going No. 9 overall to the Carolina Panthers is a popular pick, and McShay explained how he could see it working with Frank Reich's new team.

"Frank Reich has got — if this were to happen, he's got to have a plan. He's got to have a veteran and trust the fact that he's going to need at least one year (of sitting behind and learning). But Anthony Richardson could turn out to be Jalen Hurts or one of these top quarterbacks in the league, so I think he's got a chance to be special — but he's not ready yet."

This throw by Anthony Richardson was RIDICULOUS

Richardson is widely considered to have the strongest arm in this upcoming NFL Draft class.

The Florida QB is SPECIAL. pic.twitter.com/wuaBfaH8DV
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) February 23, 2023

Notable quarterbacks who "weren't ready" at the time they were drafted include Hurts, as McShay suggested, but remember, Aaron Rodgers didn't come straight out of the shoot gangbusters either. Those three years he spent behind Brett Favre were extremely valuable, and though the "draft and sit" method has become a thing of the past lately, it would make sense in the case of Richardson.

Heck, even Patrick Mahomes didn't start right away in Kansas City.

Richardson completed 53.8% of his passes last season at Florida for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions. He did rush 103 times for 654 yards and nine touchdowns as well, though, and that's where his true NFL potential lies — as a dual-threat quarterback at the next level.

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