Throughout the entire pre-draft process, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud were widely considered the two best quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft class. But apparently, the Indianapolis Colts did not agree with that assessment.
The Colts held the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft where they ultimately selected Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson. But according to team owner Jim Irsay, the team would have selected Richardson even if they had the No. 1 overall pick.
“I always felt early that Richardson was going to be our guy with his size and his upside,” Irsay said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN. “I feel like if we had the first pick in the draft, we’d probably take Anthony [Richardson].”
Irsay cont'd: "I feel like if we had the first pick in the draft, we'd probably take Anthony."
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 29, 2023
It’s an extremely bold admission, especially when Young and Stroud were nearly unanimously considered the top quarterbacks in the draft, and the NFL world absolutely blasted Irsay for it as a result.
Irsay on the sauce again https://t.co/nyo0seBHXa
— Dave Shreeve (@DaveShreeve) April 29, 2023
I doubt it but God bless Jim and his foolishness. He just be sayin anything sometimes 😆 https://t.co/Ibc5XqdLtT
— T ⚖ (@LoveLibra_T) April 29, 2023
The lies https://t.co/t74llxLugl
— ISO JOE (@LosoRozay) April 29, 2023
— Dave (@davespace_) April 29, 2023
Woof
— Sports Guy (@smsportsguy) April 29, 2023
Obviously, the Colts didn’t have to make that decision as both Young and Stroud were selected before they were on the clock with pick No. 4. But it certainly would have been interesting if the Colts actually did select Richardson over both Stroud and Young.
[ESPN]
