Thursday, September 19, 2013

Trent Richardson Traded

Yesterday, the Browns made headlines by trading second year RB- and 3rd overall pick- Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for their first round pick in the upcoming draft.  I'll give you a second to read that again.  Browns fans have to be confused- until they truly take the time to ponder this deal.  Even then, they may still be perplexed.

The Browns offense is worthless, even with Trent Richardson.  The best backs in the league struggle when the opposing teams put 9 players in the box.  Does anyone truly believe Brandon Weeden is the answer in Cleveland?  It was a funny moment when the Browns took Weeden in round 1- I had him graded as a 4th round pick.  Less than two year later, my initial impression seems to be correct.  The Browns are going to be a 3-13 team, if lucky.  The silver lining?  This is the entire point!!!

The 76ers in the NBA just traded their All-Star point guard for Nerlens Noel (my top prospect in the last draft) and a 1st round pick in 2014's NBA Draft- a VERY strong one.  What the Browns did here is similar.  The 2014 draft is loaded in terms of quarterbacks.  Likely first round picks include Teddy Bridgewater, Tajh Boyd and Marcus Mariota.  Johnny Manziel, David Fales, Derek Carr, AJ McCarron and Stephen Morris.  If the Browns want a change at QB, they did an excellent chance to line up for Bridgewater- only the Jaguars could be worse.

For the Colts, I don't see much downside.  They now have 2 of the top 3 players in last year's draft, and, Richardson gives Andrew Luck a very capable back to hand off to and relieve some of the pressure.  Luck is going to breakout this year.  Richardson will average between 4.8 and 5.0 yards per carry.  This is a no-brainer for the Colts- a team who likely picks in the 20s anyways.  Would anyone of Trent Richardson's capabilities have been there at, say, 25?  I highly doubt it.

In short, the Colts nailed this.  The Browns gave up on the season for a hope at landing a top QB in next year's draft.  Browns fans will see a season to forget.  But what about in 2 years?  3 years?  5?  10?  This trade should set up the Browns future nicely, and with two first round picks in the upcoming draft they can add a pair of players to make an immediate impact.

Grades:  Colts A, Browns A-, though if the Browns make poor draft choices I reserve the right to change this grade

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