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2023 NFL Draft: Anthony Richardson should be the Raiders No. 1 Draft Target

By Jason Willis

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 29: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: Possible Raiders draft target Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass as he runs to his right during the first half of a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 29: Possible Raiders draft target Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass as he runs to his right during the first half of a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 29, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

With Derek Carr being shown the door this off-season, the Raiders are in the market for a new quarterback. At seventh overall, Anthony Richardson should be the target.

In 2022, the Raiders finally made the decision to move on from Derek Carr. A second-round pick in 2014, he has been the team’s franchise quarterback from day one. The holder of essentially every passing record in the book, he just couldn’t get it done in the win column. Thus, the choice to move on.

With a top-ten selection in the upcoming draft, the Raiders will have a chance to take a quarterback early. Of course, the team could elect to grab their new passer in either free agency or via trade but an opportunity to select a quarterback in the top ten does not come around often.

As we stand currently, there are four quarterbacks projected to be selected early on in the 2023 NFL Draft. With Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis taking up most of the headlines, it is tough for Anthony Richardson to get the credit he deserves. However, through twelve games last season at Florida, Richardson showcased the natural ability necessary to become one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the league.

In 2022, Richardson posted 2,549 passing yards, seventeen touchdowns, and nine interceptions. On the ground, he posted 654 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. While the numbers aren’t gaudy, they help show a player who is still developing a skill set that is immensely tantalizing.

Due to this combination of arm talent and athletic ability, the Raiders must have Richardson at the top of their draft board in 2023.

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