With the 2023 NFL Draft nearing there are still a number of questions surrounding so many teams and players. Perhaps the biggest question mark remains Florida QB prospect Anthony Richardson who has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders but is also apparently still in play for the Carolina Panthers with the top overall pick.
Richardson’s physical traits and dual-threat capabilities are very intriguing, and his raw talent might be the best of any QB prospect this year. But with just one full season as a starter under his belt and relatively average numbers, particularly his 53.8% completion percentage, teams are wary about whether he can grow into a top-level quarterback.
But Richardson is looking to ensure any interested teams that he will do everything possible to reach his potential. The potential Raiders prospect penned a letter on The Players Tribune saying he is ready to work harder than anybody to become the best:
I know a lot of y’all want to know if I’m ready to step onto a professional team. I keep hearing that the NFL isn’t like college. It’s a different level. It’s more mental. Nothing’s going to be handed to you. I can tell you right now, if that’s what it takes then I’m ready. All due respect, that’s nothing new for me — it’s the same in life. If you want to eat, you gotta work for it. I know all about that.
Richardson would speak at length about his uncle who taught him the game of football and how motivated he was to make it to the NFL following his death. He also spoke about setting an example and providing a better life for his family and particularly his younger brother.
The Florida native also made it clear that he hears all of the criticisms being spoken of him and again promised that no one will work harder to fix those issues:
And, yeah, I may not pay attention to all the noise, but I do hear the critics. I know the things people are picking apart. People talk about whether I can be accurate. They say I don’t have touch. They say I can’t throw short. They say a lot of things. All I gotta say is: Watch how hard I work. In my mind, I can do anything with the football in my hand — but I know that no one will ever work harder than me to improve. Whether that’s my footwork, accuracy, mechanics, learning defenses, you name it. You can always grow, and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m going to come in and be tireless. I’m going to put it all on the line. My family sacrificed too much for me to not give everything to this game.
Richardson also spoke about his time at Florida learning under coach Dan Mullen as well as what he picked up from current Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Kyle Trask who was the starter during Richardson’s freshman season. And in the end, Richardson pledged that whoever takes him in the draft won’t regret doing so:
So, to all the coaches and GMs who are reading this: See you at the draft. If you call the name Anthony Richardson, I promise that you won’t regret it.
Whether or not this letter convinces a team who was on the fence to take the chance remains to be seen. For a team like the Raiders who has spent extensive time in person with him, it would make sense that they already know everything there is from that time.
But the gesture revealed a lot about Richardson and his motivations and if nothing else will make many root for his success in the NFL.
