2012 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Should Pick RB Trent Richardson After Passing on Adrian Peterson in 2007

Monday, November 7, 2011

RollTide.com

By Bob Evans
Senior Writer

If you told Cleveland Browns fans they would be looking for a starting running back midway through the 2011 season—after Peyton Hillis’ coming out party in 2010—they likely would have called you crazy, among a number of other obscenities.

Yet this is exactly what the Browns organization could be facing after Hillis has seemingly fallen off the face of the Earth this season.

Thanks to strep throat, a hamstring injury and all the drama surrounding his desire for a contract extension, Hillis has quickly found himself out of favor with a fan base which rallied around him to vote him on the cover of the video game Madden 12. Now it seems he hasn’t just burned bridges with the fans, as there are reports coming out of Cleveland saying the front office is ready to let him walk as a free agent at the end of the season.

If the Browns organization is really willing to let Hillis walk, and this isn’t just an overblown article from a “league source,” then the team needs to make sure they do not pass on the 2012 NFL Draft’s version of Adrian Peterson in Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson.

The reason Peterson comes to mind is because back in 2007 the Browns were in prime position to draft the former Oklahoma Sooner rusher. Instead, with a shaky quarterback situation, the Browns elected to draft Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the No. 3 pick to shore up their line for whoever was under center. Both players have gone on to enjoy stellar starts to their careers, and the move certainly worked out for the Browns as Thomas has been to the Pro Bowl four times in his short career.

With that said, the time is now for the Browns to add the "next great running back." Especially considering the Browns have two first round picks thanks to their trade with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2011 NFL Draft. The team has used their picks in the last two years to mainly address glaring needs on defense. These moves have worked out pretty well, as the Browns defense has vaulted into the Top 5 in the NFL.

With their defense performing much better, it is time to focus on an offense which lacks true weapons and playmakers—and it all starts with drafting Richardson.

He has a rare blend of size (5’11” and 225 pounds), speed (has run the 40-yard dash as low as 4.37) and strength for a running back only 21-years-old. His excellent pass-catching and blocking skills also make him an asset in the West Coast offense the Browns have switched to this season. With Richardson, you are getting a guy who can run by you or run you over—which is the same thing they said about Peterson.

Many of you may be thinking, what about Montario Hardesty? The team did just trade back into the second round of the 2010 draft to select him. While this is all very true, Hardesty’s injury history is a major red flag for the Browns right now and after missing all of 2010 with a knee injury and his current calf problems, the team just cannot rely on him as a feature back. With all of the injuries, the Browns have been forced to rely on a guy signed off of the Houston Texans practice squad and an undrafted rookie free agent to pick up the rushing load this season.

The lack of having a true “stud” running back can be seen on your television each Sunday. As the Browns running game has just two touchdowns and 613 total yards through seven games this season. Richardson had more touchdowns in his first game, and surpassed those total yards during his fifth collegiate game.

One of the reasons Browns fans fell in love with Hillis was his hard-nosed, blue collar approach to running the football. He wasn’t afraid to lower his head, make contact and drag a player or two while gaining extra yards. While Richardson may not be as big as Hillis, he loves contact and playing the game. Recently he said his favorite moment is when running at a defender and he can see the fear in their eyes—that’s a player everyone should want on their team.

Let's also not forget Mike Holmgren has a lot of influence on the way general manager Tom Heckert and the Browns will draft. Back in 2000, when he was general manager and head coach of Seattle, another 5'11" and 225 pound running back from Alabama was available in the first round, and Holmgren didn't hesitate to use the No. 19 overall selection to select Shaun Alexander.

With two first round picks, the Browns should be in prime position to draft a real offensive playmaker in Richardson. So as he continues to run over the college competition en route to a possible Heisman Trophy in 2011, the Browns organization should be taking a hard look at Richardson’s game film.

Because if there’s a chance for the Browns to grab him in the 2012 NFL Draft, there’s no way the organization can justify passing on another possible future Hall of Fame running back.


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