The top running back in this year’s draft class, Trent Richardson figures to come off the board very early at the NFL Draft. Richardson is ranked as one of the top 5 players in the draft and figures to come off as early as the number four pick to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns let Peyton Hillis depart via free agency and are in need of a running back, and Richardson would seem to fill the bill perfectly.
Richardson has a great pedigree, and seems to have all the skills needed to be a huge success in the NFL. He was a Heisman Trophy finalist, rushing for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns for Alabama this year. He also added 338 receiving yards and another 3 TDs through the air. In 13 games, that’s 2,017 yards from scrimmage – 155 yards from scrimmage and almost 2 TDs per game. And while people love to focus on speed, Richardson has impressive power and isn’t afraid of a little contact.
“Any time someone’s in my way, I’m going to try to knock them over,” Richardson said at his Pro Day last week. “Either they’re going to hit me or I’m going to hit them. So nine times out of 10, I’m trying to throw the lick.”
Not to say that Richardson lacks speed, either, as he ran the 40-yard dash at Alabama’s Pro Day in the 4.45 to 4.49 range. Richardson didn’t compete at the NFL Combine (he had minor knee surgery right before the Combine), but only one running back ran under 4.45 at the Combine (Miami’s Lamar Miller who ran a 4.40).
Richardson also banged out 25 reps in the bench press at 225 pound, which would have been fourth best at the Combine among running backs. His combination of power and speed is rare, and combined with his pass catching ability, he has all the skills to be a successful every-down back in the NFL.
Even with the top two picks apparently going to Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, Richardson is unlikely to stay on the board for too long. He is scheduled to visit Cleveland, Tampa Bay and St. Louis after his Pro Day, and they own picks number 4, 5 and 6.
“Whoever wants me to come,” he said. “I can’t wait.”
He’s certainly got the endorsement of his coach, Nick Saban, who said, “[He’s] probably one of the best players in the draft. I think that’s based on his performance and his production and his consistency he’s played with. The personal characteristics he has in terms of psychological disposition to be successful, which is really A-plus.”
His skills have been compared to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is arguably the best running back in the NFL right now. The fashion in the NFL these days is to focus on pass-heavy offensive play calling, and running-back-by-committee, so there are fewer and fewer backs in the league like Peterson and the Jaguars’ Maurice Jones Drew who are going to be running for 1600+ yards.
Despite prevailing trends, you want to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers, and Richardson has the talent to be that NFL rushing leader, every down running back. And combined with his pass catching ability, there’s no reason to think about pulling him off the field on passing downs, either.
He’s going to make a team drafting in the top six very happy this fall.
