Vikings Fans’ Appetite for Anthony Richardson Might Surprise You
Dustin Baker
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Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson ransacked the 2023 NFL Combine last week, so much so that he may end up the first overall pick in April’s draft.
For now, Richardson as the first overall pick is just a recency-bias theory, but his momentum could solidify with the NFL draft seven weeks away. We shall see.
Vikings Fans’ Appetite for Anthony Richardson Might Surprise You
And assuming Richardson’s stock stays somewhere in the Top 10 — not at the very top of the board — Minnesota Vikings fans have very little appetite for trading the farm via Richardson acquisition.
We gathered the temperature of a potential trade up the draft board with a somewhat reasonable trade package necessary to snatch Richardson, and most Vikings faithful said, “no thanks.” Depending on the trade partner, Vikings general manager would have to trade three 1st-Rounders for the pick that would land Richardson or possibly two 1st-Round picks and Minnesota’s 3rd-Rounder this year.
Here’s the first poll, with three 1st-Rounders. About 80% were unenthused:
Then, whittling down the package, possibly trading up to the No. 10 spot or so, Vikings fans were more open to the idea — but still firmly opposed:
Most respondents cited Richardson’s lack of passing accuracy as their source of skepticism.
The poll results are a continuation of the widespread and neverending “Kirk Cousins debate,” as a large chunk of the fanbase remains convinced that Minnesota’s current QB1 can lead the team to the Promised Land. Of course, many anti-Cousins personalities loudly disagree, and such is life for Vikings football.
The Vikings must decide soon whether to extend Cousins beyond the 2023 season or let his contract play out. If Adofo-Mensah chooses the latter, Cousins could hit open free agency next year and embark on a Derek Carr-like world tour of suitors.
Richardson, on the other hand, is the giant-but-fun draft mystery. He could effectuate his otherworldly combine performance for an NFL team as early as next year, take a few seasons to develop like Josh Allen in 2018 and 2019, or totally flame out like Malik Willis. At this time last year, Willis received ample draft hype, but general managers held off on him until Round 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Then, he utterly stunk for the Tennessee Titans and wasn’t trusted to quarterback a meaningless Week 17 game.
VikingsWire’s Tyler Forness has led the charge with Richardson-related excitement, retweeting the first poll with this caption, “In a heartbeat. Richardson has a generational type ceiling with his athleticism, arm talent, pocket presence, and intelligence. Think 2004 Daunte Culpepper potentially for a decade.”
The NFL draft begins on April 27th in Kansas City. Minnesota is expected to have five picks heading into the event.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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