Anthony Richardson to win Colts' Week 1 starting QB job? Sportsbooks set rookie's season total odds with full-season workload in mind

Arguably the rawest prospect chosen in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft was Florida dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson, taken at No. 4 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. The pick is the very definition of high risk, high reward considering Richardson started just 13 college games with the Gators. However, the various sportsbooks seem to think Richardson will beat out Gardner Minshew as the Week 1 starter. Some of Richardson's season totals have been posted, and they indicated a full-season workload.

FanDuel is giving Richardson an over/under of 2,700.5 passing yards, while DraftKings has him at 2,600.5. At FD, Richardson is +450 to lead all quarterbacks in rushing yards behind Chicago's Justin Fields (+200), Baltimore's Lamar Jackson (+250) and Philadelphia's Jalen Hurts (+350). Richardson is +600 to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The last two quarterbacks the Colts chose in the top five were Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, and both started from Day 1. 

The last first-round QB with a career college completion percentage as low as Richardson's (54.7%) was Jake Locker (54.0), who was taken by the Tennessee Titans at No. 8 overall in 2011 out of Washington and became a major bust. Richardson is tied with Steelers backup Mitchell Trubisky for the fewest college starts of any QB taken in the first round.

Minshew has started 24 of the 32 games he's appeared in during his NFL career and is 8-16 with 44 TD passes to 15 picks for a rating of 92.3. Minshew and Richardson split first-string reps during voluntary OTAs, and that approach will continue throughout the offseason, according to new head coach Shane Steichen. Minshew might have an edge given that he knows Steichen's offense from their Philadelphia days.

Pro Football Focus ranks Richardson as the worst Week 1 starting QB this year. "Richardson wasn't even a particularly good college quarterback last season in the SEC. His overall PFF grade came in at 80.3, which ranked 38th in the nation and was being propped up by his rushing ability — something that will need to continue in the NFL." the article reads.

Indy is a 3.5-point home underdog Week 1 vs. Jacksonville.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Who starts Week 1 at QB for the Colts?

• Anthony Richardson -150
• Gardner Minshew +150
• Sam Ehlinger +2000

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