Despite not playing an NFL game yet, the Indianapolis Colts rookie tandem of Anthony Richardson and Josh Downs are already in a competition with their peers.
In the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected quarterback Anthony Richardson with the fourth-overall pick. Later in the draft, in the third round with the 79th-overall pick, Indy selected wide receiver Josh Downs. This immediately generated excitement about the connection that can be developed between Richardson and Downs.
However, Richardson and Downs weren’t the only QB-WR duo selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. The two quarterbacks selected before Richardson in the first round, were also joined by wide receivers. After drafting Bryce Young first overall, the Carolina Panthers selected Jonathan Mingo in the second round. After the Houston Texans drafted CJ Stroud second overall, they selected wide receiver Tank Dell in the third round.
So, the 2023 Draft created three duos of first-round quarterbacks with day-two receivers. Naturally, the three duos are going to be compared. Curt Popejoy of Draft Wire has already started this comparison. Recently, Popejoy asked fans to vote on who they think will be the best tandem as rookies, and Popejoy also shared his answer, making the case for Anthony Richardson and Josh Downs.
AR → JD pic.twitter.com/eWNegxyJJO
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 5, 2023
Will Anthony Richardson and Josh Downs be the best rookie QB-WR tandem?
Popejoy argues that’s Richardson and Downs will have the best rookie season because the Colts have the best rushing attack, Downs is the best receiver of the three, and also because Indy’s head coach, Shane Steichen, is an offensive mastermind. Time will tell if that’s the case.
Richardson and Downs have already got started on building their rapport, throwing the ball around in a hotel parking lot on the day before the start of Indy’s rookie minicamp. As the offseason progresses, the hope is that the two will continue to get better and be ready to hit the ground running once Week 1 arrives.
The fun thing is, all of these QB-WR tandems will face off during their rookie season. Since they are all offensive players, they won’t be on the field in head-to-head action, but the Colts will play the Texans twice this season, in Week 2 and Week 18, and will play the Panthers in Week 9. Those games will be a part of each tandem’s case as everyone observes to see which is the best.