How Should Indianapolis Colts Build Around Anthony Richardson?

Although the Indianapolis Colts only saw 2023 No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson play 98 total dropbacks during his rookie campaign, they believe the long-term quarterback solution has been solved. Following the shocking retirement of Andrew Luck in August 2019, Indianapolis craved an answer to the biggest position in sports. Now, they believe the answer is found within Richardson.

The Colts’ first top-five quarterback selection since Luck in 2012, Richardson struggled with various injuries even within a small sample size.

In around three full games of action, Richardson tallied 713 total yards (577 passing, 136 rushing) and seven touchdowns. However, if Richardson’s statistics were extrapolated over a full 17-game regular season, it’s fair to see why Indianapolis is all-in on the 21-year-old signal-caller: 3,270 passing yards, 771 rushing yards; 17 passing touchdowns, 23 rushing touchdowns; 4,041 total yards, 40 touchdowns.

As you can see, absolutely gaudy numbers for Richardson that would still blow many away if they were watered down a tad bit as well. And if the Colts properly build around their unique quarterback, they could soon become a long-term threat within the already deep AFC.

So, how should the Colts go about taking that next step forward around Richardson? It starts with adding premier weapons, which has a proven track record to success. Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts, two quarterbacks Richardson is often compared to, saw their teams make all-in aggressive trades for superstar wide receivers (Bills = Stefon Diggs; Eagles = A.J. Brown).

Surveying the potential trade and free agency market for wide receivers, Indianapolis could easily strike while the iron is hot: Mike Evans (FA), Tee Higgins (FA), Hollywood Brown (FA), Keenan Allen (potential trade target), Chris Godwin (potential trade), Brandon Aiyuk (potential trade if 49ers don’t offer lucrative extension.

It also helps that the Colts will have around $100 million in cap space to work with, which went up around $20 million following the stunning midseason release of linebacker Shaquille Leonard.

Indianapolis doesn’t have the bonafide star to pair with Richardson, but the cupboard is nowhere close to bare.

Another free agent wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., should be atop Indianapolis’ offseason wishlist to re-sign. If the Colts could find a player to slide Pittman into the No. 2 role, they are in a great spot for an explosive offense around their young quarterback.

Pittman, Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs help make up the promising trio of weapons currently in place for Richardson. Whether it be a jaw-dropping trade or using a first-round selection, adding a wide receiver for Richardson must happen in March or April.

Heading into the 2024-25 season, if Indianapolis has finally pushed the aggressive buttons around Richardson’s weaponry, they should soon reap the benefits for that year and beyond.