The 2023 NFL Draft just happened, but NFL experts are already predicting that a rookie for the Indianapolis Colts will win a major award next season.
This past weekend, the NFL welcomed hundreds of talented players to the league. Several teams added players that they are hoping can turn the franchise around. The Indianapolis Colts are one of those teams. After a 4-12-1 season, Indy used its fourth-overall pick to select Anthony Richardson, hoping that he can be the franchise’s next great quarterback.
In addition to Richardson, the Colts drafted 11 other players to make up their promising 2023 Draft class. Now that everyone knows where all of the rookies will be playing their first season, experts are predicting how year one will go for the 2023 Draft class. In a recent piece for ESPN, draft analysts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller reflected on the draft and made some predictions about the young players.
Miller went out on a limb and predicted that the Offensive Rookie of the Year would be Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Anthony Richardson predicted to win Rookie of the Year
Miller admitted that it would be somewhat of a surprise if Richardson won, but argues that Richardson is likely to play early for the Colts “in Shane Steichen's offense and has the dual-threat ability to rack up huge stats as a passer and runner to get him some hardware after the 2023 season.”
The big question is when will Richardson get on the field. Jim Irsay has already said publicly that he wants Richardson to play this season, but that he’s deferring to Steichen on when his first start will be. The amount of games will certainly factor into Richardson’s chances of winning.
Additionally, Richardson is also expected to face some stiff competition. Not only will there be multiple other rookie quarterbacks, but he will be competing against skill position players that will be dropped into great systems. Often times, it’s easier for a running back or wide receiver to adjust to the NFL quicker than a quarterback.
In the last 10 seasons, only three quarterbacks have won Offensive Rookie of the Year: Dak Prescott (2016), Kyler Murray (2019), and Justin Herbert (2020). With guys like Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs in productive offenses, and all of the rookie receivers throughout the league, Richardson will certainly have a lot of competition.
However, it would be great for the Colts if Richardson won the award, because that would mean Indianapolis is getting quality quarterback play, and the future would be bright.
READ MORE: Anthony Richardson shows off his football IQ