We're now three years removed from the 2023 NFL Draft, which is where the Indianapolis Colts spent the fourth overall pick on Anthony Richardson. We now know that Richardson has not panned out for the Colts and, therefore, it's easier to consider the 2023 draft a complete and total failure for Indy.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports echoed those sentiments, as he went back and reevaluated the 2023 draft for every team. At the time of the draft, Prisco was complimentary of what Chris Ballard and the Colts did, giving them a solid B grade. Three years later, however, Prisco's grade plummeted, as he was now handing out a D grade to Indianapolis, and it's all because of Richardson.
"This draft was all about taking quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick. So far, it's been a major fail. Injuries have impacted his play, but he wasn't good when he did play. He is still young and raw. The rest of the 12-man draft class didn't produce a lot either. Third-round receiver Josh Downs is a good player and seventh-round corner Jaylon Jones has started. Fourth-round defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore is a rotational player."
Indianapolis Colts' 2023 draft grade takes a massive hit after Anthony Richardson hits bust status
So, there you have it. This draft and how it was remembered were always going to come down to the career of Anthony Richardson. If he played well and was on his second contract with the Colts, the grade would have likely been in the A range. But, as we've now seen, he hasn't been good enough to land that second contract with Indy, and the 2023 draft regrade has taken a massive hit as a result.
Maybe the grade would be a little kinder if the other players in the draft turned into anything memorable, but, as Prisco pointed out, the Colts had 12 picks in this draft, and only Josh Downs really has produced at a notable level. So, in other words, the D grade is fair.
Here's more from Prisco and his new grade, three years later:
"Not good. I thought their best pick was second-round corner JuJu Brents, but he is now in Miami after being let go. I thought Downs went higher than expected, but he has played well. I also said the draft would be defined by Richardson, who I thought had the tools with some development. That clearly hasn't happened."
Again, none of this is surprising. Colts fans knew back when Richardson went off the board at No. 4 that this draft would be tied to his success, and now, we're seeing that play out. Richardson has not been a good quarterback during his time in Indy, and the grades reflect that, as they should.
Add us as a preferred source on Google