Will Richardson Make the NFL?
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Will Richardson is one of the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. Some believe he has the potential to be a first-round pick. However, others think he may fall to the second or third round. Where will Richardson end up?
Who is Will Richardson?
Will Richardson is an American football player who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He played college football at NC State.
Richardson was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and attended Hoggard High School in Wilmington, where he played football and basketball. As a senior, he was named the Mideastern Conference Player of the Year after catching 37 passes for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was also named first-team All-State and first-team All-Region. In basketball, he averaged 15 points per game as a senior.
His College Football Career
Will Richardson was a highly recruited football player coming out of high school. He played his collegiate career at the University of Alabama where he was a key member of the team that won the college football national championship in 2015. After redshirting his freshman year, Richardson played in every game during his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a starter at right tackle during his senior season.
Richardson was not selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He made the Jaguars’ active roster for the 2018 season opener, but he was inactive for all 16 games. He was released by the Jaguars at the end of the season and subsequently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
His NFL Scouting Combine Results
Will Richardson’s NFL Scouting Combine results are in, and they are mixed.
His 40-yard dash time was good, but not great, at 4.84 seconds. His vertical jump was 26.5 inches, which is below average for offensive linemen. However, he showed his strength with 28 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
Overall, Richardson’s NFL Scouting Combine results are about what was expected. He is a big and strong offensive lineman, but he is not exceptionally fast or athletic.
His NFL Pro Day Results
Will Richardson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 and 4.68 seconds, recorded a vertical jump of 31 inches and had a broad jump of 9 feet, 6 inches at his Pro Day on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6, 306-pound Richardson had a short shuttle time of 4.58 seconds and did not do the three-cone or bench press.
Richardson, who played left tackle at N.C. State but projects as a guard in the NFL, was not invited to the Scouting Combine in February.
His NFL Draft Projection
Will Richardson is a 6’6″, 300-pound offensive tackle from N.C. State. He was a four-year starter for the Wolfpack and was a two-time All-ACC selection. Richardson entered the 2018 season as a preseason All-American and was considered one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the country. He decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Richardson is a big, physical tackle who has the size and strength to be a road grader in the run game. He’s also a good athlete for his size, with quick feet and good balance. He needs to improve his technique as a pass blocker, but he has the tools to be an effective NFL tackle.
Richardson projects as a second- or third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
