Namely, Colts owner Jim Irsay warned Anthony Richardson that there was a good chance he’d be coming to Indy in three hours. However, Irsay added that he didn’t know for sure and that they’d have to see what happens. Next, what happened was the culmination of nearly two years of scouting, digging, and debating. In turn, the Colts selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick. Late on that evening, near the draft festivities in Kansas City, Missouri, Richardson celebrated with the people at the center of his NFL odds world. In particular, his family was proud.
NFL Future Odds Post Draft 2023-24 Indianapolis Colts
| Super Bowl Championship SBG Odds: | +10000 |
|---|---|
| AFC Championship SBG Odds: | +6000 |
| AFC South Division Championship SBG Odds: | +550 |
| 2023 Over/Under Win Total: | 6.5 |
Time to Go to Work
Now, Richardson understands the gravity of the job in front of him. Seven quarterbacks have started games for the Colts in the past four seasons. Remarkably, the Colts changed starting quarterbacks four times in 2022. Overall, Indianapolis finished with a 4-12-1 record. Since 2019, they’ve spent more than $100 million on quarterbacks. That is when franchise QB Andrew Luck retired. And the instability at the position has been an ever-present offshore betting burden on the organization.
Now, here comes Richardson, the team’s next potential solution. The Colts’ future is a 6-foot-4, 244-pound 20-year-old with a scary skill set. But not everyone was convinced at first Richardson was the answer. Further, he wasn’t certain he would be available at No. 4.
Previously, the Colts’ curiosity about Richardson had been piqued long before he became Florida’s full-time starter last season. That interest began in the 2021 season. Then, Richardson attempted only 64 passes as a true sophomore. Yet the Colts’ scouts were already putting Richardson on the radar. Correlate that the scouts had given Trent Richardson very favorable grades. However, his sophomore season produced just six touchdown passes and five interceptions. The scouting report ensured he would be a priority for them to evaluate the following season.
In particular, chief personnel executive Morocco Brown took an interest. Last summer, the Colts dispatched him to Gainesville, Florida, to scout Richardson during preseason practices. Following the first visit, Brown fired off the first of many texts to Indianapolis about a player he considered a prospect with dazzling potential. But the Colts were far from determining if Richardson had what it took to lead their team. His resume was so thin, his game so raw, that no one had much to go on. All the Colts could do was keep watching.
At the onset of the 2022 NFL betting odds season, Richardson started the 2022 season strong. He completed 71% of his pass attempts in an opening win over seventh-ranked Utah. Next came a much-hyped matchup with Kentucky and quarterback Will Levis. Levis was another top prospect selected in the second round by the Tennessee Titans. Richardson completed just 40% of his passes and had two interceptions with no touchdowns in a loss to Kentucky.
Similar ups and downs followed. A 453-yard performance against Tennessee and quarterback Hendon Hooker impressed. While frustration exploded in the regular-season finale in which he finished 9-of-27 against Florida State. The inconsistencies were concerning. But the personal interaction covered up the flaws. Also, there was the obvious: Richardson’s elite combination of throwing and running ability.