6 quarterbacks the Minnesota Vikings could select in the 2023 NFL Draft
By Chris Schad
Anthony Richardson (Florida)
Measurables:
- Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 244 pounds
2022 Stats:
- 2,549 passing yards
- 17 TD,
- 9 INT
- 53.8% completion rate
- 103 rushing attempts
- 603 rushing yards
- 9 rushing TD
If the Minnesota Vikings are looking for a physical upgrade at quarterback, Anthony Richardson should be their top target in the draft.
Richardson destroyed the combine in Indianapolis, becoming the first quarterback dating back to 1987 to post a perfect relative athletic score of 10.0. He also draws comparisons to Cam Newton (9.99 RAS) and former Vikings folk hero Daunte Culpepper (9.98).
With a 4.43 second time in the 40-yard dash and a cannon for an arm, Richardson has the tools to be an elite quarterback. On ability alone, Richardson would be a lock for the top pick in this year’s draft, but consistency was a big problem during his time at Florida.
The good news is that Richardson only made 12 starts during his career as he backed up Emory Jones. If he’s given time to develop, there’s a chance he could turn into the franchise-caliber quarterback he can become.
The Vikings will need to trade up to draft him – and he won’t come cheap – but Richardson could be the perfect quarterback for Kevin O’Connell. At 21 years old, Richardson can sit behind Cousins before taking over the starting job in 2024 and leading the Vikings into a new era.