The sample size we saw from Anthony Richardson in his rookie season was small, but in those few games you could see growth and his playmaking abilities on display.
With only 98 career dropbacks, realistically, there will still be growing pains that Richardson will experience this season, but it’s not as if he will have to do it all on his own either.
Richardson will be behind a top offensive line unit and will have a healthy Jonathan Taylor in the backfield along side of him. At receiver will be the reliable Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, who is poised for a jump in Year 2, and AD Mitchell, who will bring a new element to the Colts’ offense with his 4.34 speed and explosiveness.
There is also something to be said for the importance of continuity and being in Shane Steichen’s offense–where numerous quarterbacks have found success–for a second season.
“Every time I step on the field I’m like, what are we going to get today? Like, I can’t wait to see it,” Mitchell said. “I can’t wait to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play with it. It’s been fun just learning each other, learning what he likes to do, what I think as a receiver and just mixing the two because once we’re on the same page — if the whole offense is on the same page with that one man, it’ll be a very special year.”
Andrew Harbaugh of Vikings Wire recently compiled Pro Football Focus grades for all 32 (projected) starting quarterbacks, including college grades for rookie QBs.
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray
PFF Grade: 70.8
Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins
PFF grade: 86.1
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson
PFF grade: 90.4
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Josh Allen
PFF grade: 92.1
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Young
PFF grade: 56.0
Jun 5, 2024; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball during the team’s minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Caleb Williams
PFF College grade: 90.3
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws in the second quarter during Super Bowl 56 against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The Cincinnati Bengals lost, 23-30.
Nfl Super Bowl 56 Los Angeles Rams Vs Cincinnati Bengals Feb 13 2022 1405
Joe Burrow
PFF grade: 77.9
Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson
PFF grade: 67.3
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dak Prescott
PFF grade: 90.0
Feb 3, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Bo Nix of Oregon (10) throws the ball during the first half of the 2024 Senior Bowl football game at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Bo Nix
PFF College grade: 93.0
Jarrett Stidham
PFF grade: 55.5
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
Jared Goff
PFF grade: 85.7
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Jordan Love
PFF grade: 83.6
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
C.J. Stroud
PFF grade: 83.1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks over the line of scrimmage Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston
Anthony Richardson
PFF grade: 52.2
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Trevor Lawrence
PFF grade: 79.7
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Mahomes
PFF grade: 90.5
Dec 31, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell (4) passes a ball between Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (54) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aidan O’Connell
PFF grade: 65.9
Gardner Minshew
PFF grade: 62.0
Jan 2, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to throw a pass in the first half the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Herbert
PFF grade: 85.5
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 01: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Matthew Stafford
PFF grade: 88.2
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Tua Tagovailoa
PFF grade: 86.9
EAGAN, MINNESOTA – JUNE 04: Quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy #9, Sam Darnold #14 and Nick Mullens #12 of the Minnesota Vikings watch the drill during Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on June 04, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota.(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
J.J. McCarthy
PFF College grade: 90.6
Sam Darnold
PFF grade: 66.0
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New England Patriots as the No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Drake Maye
PFF College grade: 91.5
Jacoby Brissett
PFF grade: 84.6
Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr
PFF grade: 77.2
Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers
PFF grade from 2022: 77.5
Nov 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) jogs off the field during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Hurts
PFF grade: 86.7
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 6: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during the Pittsburgh Steelers OTA offseason workout at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on June 6 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson
PFF grade: 77.5
January 1, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws as offensive tackle Daniel Brunskill (60) provides coverage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Brock Purdy
PFF grade: 87.4
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Geno Smith
PFF grade: 82.9
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Baker Mayfield
PFF grade: 77.2
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Will Levis
PFF grade: 63.7
Jun 5, 2024; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes a ball during an OTA workout at Commanders Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jayden Daniels
PFF College grade: 94.7