Photo: AP Images - Dave Martin
- Troy BallardIt's time to stop fighting it -- Alabama star running back Trent Richardson should be the first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns.
There shouldn't even be a shadow of a doubt.
Richardson and the Browns are as perfect as Rick meeting back up with Lori and Carl in The Walking Dead. The two are simply destined to end up together, and any other conclusion would seem like a distorted reality.
With the Brownies holding the fourth overall selection in the upcoming draft, it's a lock that Richardson will be available. His name will be dancing on scouting reports in big bold letters in the 'Cleveland Situation Room' on draft night, pleading to be chosen.
Roger Goodell is already practicing the best maestro he can manage -- 'With the fourth overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select, Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama."
Richardson brings a crazy amount of talent to the table as an NFL prospect, and he will make an immediate impact if the Browns snag him with the fourth overall pick. The best way to describe Richardson is with one word -- PLAYMAKER.
With the departure of Peyton Hillis in free agency, Cleveland has a massive void not only at running back, but also the team is totally missing a true offensive threat. Richardson is a code red threat (the highest level). The kid is an incredibly tough runner that is hard to bring down, has great hands out of the backfield, and can block like a fullback. He's the complete package.
Hillis who?
Richardson has the potential to go to Cleveland and push some of the offensive weight off of struggling quarterback, Colt McCoy. Forget the West Coast Offense that the Browns run -- look at how many carries Hillis had in 2010 -- T-Rich would get the ball aplenty. Handing the ball off to the Alabama star would in turn open up those routes for McCoy and his flock of mediocre receivers.
And let's face it -- McCoy needs all the help he can get. And yes again -- Justin Blackmon is a tempting prospect. But not drafting Richardson and failing to establish that sure-fire success in the running game leaves McCoy incredibly vulnerable. His development has already been knocked back a few notches, and he desperately needs a wing-man in the backfield.
But he also needs one on the outside too. That's where the Browns grand-total of 13 draft picks plays a key role. Here are a few names Cleveland could look into with their second first-rounder or in the second round in general -- Alshon 'Baby-Fitz' Jeffery, Michael 'Watch Out' Floyd, Kendall 'RG3's My Boy' Wright, and Stephen 'Check Me Out' Hill.
Blackmon would be great, but those receivers listed above are good, and would fill in perfectly for the Browns. After completing that highway robbery trade with the Atlanta Falcons in the last draft, Cleveland is set up to land Richardson and address the need at receiver with another equally great talent in the same round.
The Browns are lost somewhere between abysmal and hopeless, and need to acquire a franchise defining player. Richardson has that ability. Cleveland has the future within reach, and it is going to start with drafting the kid from Bama.
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