2012 NFL Draft Rumors: Cincinnati Bengals Have Resources to Nab Alabama RB Trent Richardson, If They Want Him

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

RollTide.com

By Kris Knox
Featured NFL Writer

Despite coming off a third consecutive 1,000-yard season, Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson is not likely to return for 2012, making it a priority for Cincinnati to find a suitable replacement during the off-season.

A long history of off the field troubles, coupled with a lack of big-play ability on the field, will likely lead to Benson's exit in free agency. Cincinnati will be looking to get younger and more explosive at the running back position, which could create an interesting situation come April, as this year's draft features one of the most explosive running backs in recent memory.

Alabama running back Trent Richardson enters the 2012 NFL draft as the consensus top prospect at his position, and perhaps the best overall athlete in the entire draft class. A 2011 Heisman finalist, Richardson ran for 3,111 yards and 35 touchdowns on 540 carries in three seasons playing for the Crimson Tide. He also added 68 receptions for 730 yards and additional seven scores in that span while helping lead Alabama to two national championships.

At 5'11" and 224 pounds, Richardson has the size and strength to produce yards between the tackles at the next level, but he also possesses that speed and agility to break runs to the outside and make defenders miss in open space. A truly complete back, Richardson has already drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson, taken seventh overall by the Vikings in 2007.

Richardson is certainly a rare talent and if he turns out to be anything like Peterson at the pro level, he will represent a sound investment for whichever team steps up and drafts him in April.

Of course, rare talent usually comes with a price. Richardson will be a highly sought-after commodity on draft day and will likely be a top 10 selection.

Cincinnati currently holds the 17th and 21st overall picks in the draft, meaning that if they do have their sights set on Richardson, they will have to trade up in order to do so. Judging from the Julio Jones trade last year, trading into the top 10 would be costly for the Bengals.

Last April, the Atlanta Falcons sent five draft picks--including their 2011 and 2012 first-round picks--to the Cleveland Browns to trade up from No. 27 to No. 6 in order to draft Jones. A similar move by
Cincinnati might cost them both first-round picks this year, as well as an additional second or third-round selection.

That is a steep price to pay for a single player, even one of Richardson's caliber. However, when you consider that Cincinnati received the No. 17 pick from Oakland in exchange for "retired" quarterback Carson Palmer, the price seems easier to swallow.

The Bengals also received the Raiders' 2013 pick in exchange for Palmer, which could be packaged with their two first-round picks this season. A talent-needy team such as the Vikings (No. 3), Buccaneers (No. 5), Jaguars (No. 7) or Panthers (No. 8) would be very tempted to add three high draft picks in order to drop out of the top 10 and down to No 17.

Cincinnati would still be paying a high price in this scenario, but would essentially be getting the chance to draft Richardson in exchange for Palmer; a quarterback who was never going to play for the franchise again anyway.

With several talented backs—such as Michael Bush, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Jackie Battle and Mike Tolbert—likely to hit the open market this off-season, Cincinnati may choose to go the free agent route at running back or may wait to take another back later in the draft. However, while making a move for Richardson may be a bit improbable, it is a move that the Bengals should strongly consider.

Cincinnati let the draft fall to them last year and walked away with a franchise quarterback in Andy Dalton and the league's hottest rookie receiver in A.J. Green. Being aggressive this year could land them the most promising running back prospect since Peterson, and one of the top talents in the entire draft.

A trio of Dalton, Green and Richardson would form the foundation of a young, powerful offense that could wreak havoc on AFC North defenses for the next several years and could quickly turn the Bengals from post-season footnotes into legitimate contenders.


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Cincinnati Bengals Rumors: Finding Cedric Benson's Replacement Top Priority in 2012 NFL Draft or Free Agency


2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alabama Crimson Tide RB Trent Richardson is as Rare a Talent at RB Since Adrian Peterson in 2007 (Video)