The Jacksonville Jaguars will welcome fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson to the NFL on Sunday when the Indianapolis Colts quarterback makes his first career start.
On the surface, that jumps off the page as an advantage for an experienced Jaguars defense that’s returning all 11 starters from last season. But Richardson also brings a lot of mystery and not much game tape for Jacksonville players to study.
Buy Jaguars TicketsJaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun says the Colts’ preseason games made one thing clear, though: Jacksonville can’t let Richardson run wild in Week 1.
“[We have to] make sure we have eyes on him,” Oluokun said Monday. “We know that so far in preseason, it seems like he likes to get out and run, especially when plays break down. So make sure we have eyes on him and when he breaks the pocket, be able to keep running our feet through contact as if he’s a runner.
“A lot of times people might give up on a play early for the running quarterback, but just staying on your feet when he pump fakes if he does, be able to break down his stiff arm when he escapes the pocket. Just really treating him like a runner when he’s running outside the pocket with the ball in his hands.”
Tackling Richardson might not come easy. The Colts list the rookie quarterback at 6’4, 244 pounds and the Florida Gators alumni was officially clocked at 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash in March.
In preseason, Richardson completed 13 of his 29 passes for 145 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He added 45 rushing yards on seven carries.
“I know he’s big, I know he’s fast and explosive, it’s just the mentality,” Oluokun said. “As soon as somebody gets the ball in their hands, you just got to attack them. I’m sure I’ve tackled people bigger than me before.”
Oluokun, 28, joined the Jaguars as a free agent last year after leading the NFL in tackles during his final season with the Atlanta Falcons. The linebacker was again the league’s tackling champion in his first season with Jacksonville.
