NFL News: Cleveland Gives Up on Trent Richardson
A year after drafting Trent Richardson as the overall No. 3 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns are already giving up on promising running back after they decided to trade him to the Indianapolis Colts for a 2014 first-round pick.
Gregg Rosenthal from nfl.com reported the transaction on Wednesday evening.
“It’s a stunning move considering that Richardson was considered the centerpiece of the offense. But new coach Rob Chudzinski, new general manager Michael Lombardi and new COO Joe Banner clearly decided that he no longer fit their plans,” said Rosenthal in the article.
Earlier that Wednesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay posted a prophetic post in his Twitter account, teasing Indianapolis fans:
This day of MONSTER TRADE,The Tidal Wave Of Deal making...Shocks the system of "..Didn't see THIS ONE COMING!!!!!!" Grig's Rollin' Dice!
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) September 18, 2013
A few hours later, the Colts indeed rolled the dice and acquired the 22-year-old running back.
By getting Richardson, the Colts now have the first— 24-year-old quarterback Andrew Luck-- and third overall picks in the 2012 draft.
The Colts needed help in their offense since both RB Vick Ballard and tight end Dwayne Allen are out for the season. The arrival of Richardson addresses some of those needs for the Colts, which ranked 22nd in total rushing yards in 2012.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau from espn.com, Richardson is one of two players since the NFL merger that was drafted inside the top three, played for the team that drafted him and was traded the following year. The other is defensive end John Matuszak who was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1973 and played for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1974.
For the Browns, the move means that the rebuilding continues. Cleveland now has two first round picks in the 2014 NFL Draft.