Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

[jth1331]

lol at people saying he's close to Peterson.
He's a decent prospect, but IMO not a top 5/top 10 pick in today's NFL.

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by bucfan12

Richardson is the best RB prospect to come out since Adrian Peterson that actually warrants a top 10 selection.

Meh. Darren McFadden says "hello".

[ElectricEye]

I'm not sure I would take Richardson top 10(or even top 15, but that's personnel preference based on position value), but he's got the set of tools you like to see with a guy you pick in that range. In terms of overall rank, he's got to be in the top 10 in the draft class, but I'm just not sure picking a runningback in the top ten is worth it anymore. Might be in certain offenses/for certain teams, but the way people pass the ball these days and how easy it is to get production from mid rounders at the position really hurts the stock of any runningback.

[DraftSavant]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

One guy is 5'10, @210-215#, tough elusive with 4.3 speed.
Other guy is 5'11, @220-225#, bull strong, powerful, great feet, fast for a big back but won't outrun NFL secondaries.

It's a choice between a runner with a Lesean McCoy/LD skillset versus a guy with Steven Jackson/Brandon Jacobs(in his prime) ability.

I don't like comparing Richardson to AD because Peterson is quicker, faster, more elusive.

Yeah I do think some teams will rate Miller higher than Richardson because of their offensive scheme and Miller's perceived better big play ability.

Not quite Ricky/Edge, but a very similar debate.

Also, with the new rookie salary structure, I wonder if positions with traditionally low value in round 1 (RB, interior OL, safety) will start to go higher now since they won't enter the league as the highest paid player at their position anymore. Could see more teams going to true BAP.

[A Perfect Score]

I think the John Stewart comparisons are pretty solid. Both are built like tanks with surprising top ends speed, something that has the utmost value at the NFL level (It's what separates an Adrian Peterson from a Ryan Mathews or Shonn Green, the former of which I hated as a prospect), and both were effective pass catchers at the college level. Richardson is going to be an absolute animal, and he's a far better prospect then the two most recent top 12 picks at RB, that being Mathews and Knoshown Moreno. I don't see him going Top 5 though...maybe Top 10.

[KW280]

Originally Posted by A Perfect Score

I think the John Stewart comparisons are pretty solid. Both are built like tanks with surprising top ends speed, something that has the utmost value at the NFL level (It's what separates an Adrian Peterson from a Ryan Mathews or Shonn Green, the former of which I hated as a prospect), and both were effective pass catchers at the college level. Richardson is going to be an absolute animal, and he's a far better prospect then the two most recent top 12 picks at RB, that being Spiller, Mathews and Knoshown Moreno. I don't see him going Top 5 though...maybe Top 10.

Why oh why did Buffalo pick Spiller at 9..

[thegreatone]

Originally Posted by KW280

Why oh why did Buffalo pick Spiller at 9..

I was dumbfounded at the time of the pick, and nothing has changed since.

[A Perfect Score]

Spiller slipped my mind, thats my bad. Worst thing is I actually liked Spiller a hell of a lot more then Moreno or Mathews. He could have been absolutely dynamite just about anywhere but Buffalo.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

I'm not sure I would take Richardson top 10(or even top 15, but that's personnel preference based on position value), but he's got the set of tools you like to see with a guy you pick in that range. In terms of overall rank, he's got to be in the top 10 in the draft class, but I'm just not sure picking a runningback in the top ten is worth it anymore. Might be in certain offenses/for certain teams, but the way people pass the ball these days and how easy it is to get production from mid rounders at the position really hurts the stock of any runningback.

Agree. Unless it's Adrian Peterson you dont take one that early, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are two off the top of my head that would back that theory up.

I'm high on a Chris Polk out of Washington (surprise, surprise). I think Polk in the second makes more sense than Richardson in the first.

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by Babylon

Agree. Unless it's Adrian Peterson you dont take one that early, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are two off the top of my head that would back that theory up.

I'm high on a Chris Polk out of Washington (surprise, surprise). I think Polk in the second makes more sense than Richardson in the first.

Ricky Williams was far from a disappointment as a Top 5 pick. During his prime, he was arguably the best RB in football and a dominant player. I mean, he had some head issues that prevented him from fully realizing his potential, but even with those issues he's still one of the best RBs I've seen play in the NFL. He didn't exactly have alot of help in Miami, either.

[Caulibflower]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

One guy is 5'10, @210-215#, tough elusive with 4.3 speed.
Other guy is 5'11, @220-225#, bull strong, powerful, great feet, fast for a big back but won't outrun NFL secondaries.

It's a choice between a runner with a Lesean McCoy/LD skillset versus a guy with Steven Jackson/Brandon Jacobs(in his prime) ability.

I don't like comparing Richardson to AD because Peterson is quicker, faster, more elusive.

Yeah I do think some teams will rate Miller higher than Richardson because of their offensive scheme and Miller's perceived better big play ability.

Not to overrate him by making it seem like I think he has the best of both skillets, but I see Richardson a bit like a combination of LeSean McCoy and Steven Jackson, since you throw those names out there. Not really seeing a Brandon Jacobs comparison;Jacobs is pretty unique. LaMar Miller is pretty easy to compare to Clinton Portis, although I doubt he's as good of a runner. I like both of them, I just think Richardson is a pretty clear step above Miller. Miller profiles as a good, solid running back, but I feel like you've gotta tie the edge to the guy who not only looks like a prototypical running back, but it doing it well in the SEC. So not to dis Miller really, and I've kinda had to say that before... Not sure he belongs in the first round, unless you've got a good team on the back end who really needs a running back. (...Packers? Giants or Patriots? Those are about the only teams I could see picking a running back in the first round, and it would have to be a speed guy like Miller. Steelers might be a darkhorse for him) But Richardson seems like a guy who will give you production even if he's on a bad team, which to me is what separates the running backs; there's running backs who will add that extra piece an offense needs, and there are running backs who can make their teams competitive. For whatever reason, I see Richardson as having the potential to be more of a core player on his team than Miller. That's just my intuition.

Depending where Seattle ends up and which QBs are on the board, the 'Hawks might want to take a look at him. Pete Carroll is dying for a power-running game; he's drafted the linemen, now we need a real #1. I kinda think Marshawn Lynch might excel in more of a 2007-era Marion Barber role. Cleveland would be really interested in a prime running back with all the Peyton Hillis stuff going on. If Owen Marecic can get it figured out, that could be a pretty sick backfield coming at defenses. Depending on how Jamaal Charles heals, they might want to lighten his load to keep him explosive; they were already doing that with Thomas Jones, who's old. Jamaal Charles combined with Trent Richardson would be terrifying. Washington makes sense. The teams I mentioned as landing spots for Miller make sense for Richardson, too, I just don't think there's any way he lasts that long. Sure, running backs have become less valuable recently, but you've still got plenty of teams whose offenses go through they're backs. I think Richardson is a back who can carry an offense.

[Babylon]

^
I think there is too much of a need at corner and QB to be thinking of taking a Richardson, given where he'll fall in the draft. Seattle has to take Barkely if he's there and stop with the dog and pony show they have going on there at QB

[keylime_5]

Richardson I think will be in the Mo Drew or Matt Forte class of backs in the NFL, not quite on the Peterson/McFadden level. I think he's worth a top 15 pick, it's just that RBs have lost their value in the NFL. You need a good RB, but they are so easy to find in the middle rounds and don't last as long as any other position.

[FUNBUNCHER]

How does Richardson compare to Shady McCoy??
He doesn't have Shady's quickness or wheels. Richardson is quick and fast for a big back, not a RB in general.

Just different skillsets IMO, not downgrading Richardson.

[A Perfect Score]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

How does Richardson compare to Shady McCoy??
He doesn't have Shady's quickness or wheels. Richardson is quick and fast for a big back, not a RB in general.

Just different skillsets IMO, not downgrading Richardson.

Wheels? Richardson is going to run a hell of a lot faster then Shady did, that much I promise you.

[FUNBUNCHER]

I've seen these guys play and Richardson simply isn't as fast or quick as McCoy.
I didn't even know there were people thought Richardson was faster than McCoy.

Running a 4.50 flat at the combine and not knowing McCoy's history,( McCoy ran a sub 4.3 at Nike's HS combine in 2004), is really mis-reading his NFL combine 40 time.

Richardson doesn't really look much faster than Mark Ingram at Alabama, and if you think RIchardson is faster in pads than McCoy then he's a lock top 10 pick and a better pro prospect than AD.

[Caulibflower]

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

How does Richardson compare to Shady McCoy??
He doesn't have Shady's quickness or wheels. Richardson is quick and fast for a big back, not a RB in general.

Just different skillsets IMO, not downgrading Richardson.

I don't really see him as a "big back." Richardson is definitely the bigger of the two, but it's not such a huge difference as to say their skillets should be evaluate differently. I'm sure everyone here remembers that McCoy's combine was kind of underwhelming. Don't really care what a Nike camp said his time was in high school; when he lined up next to the other running backs, he didn't stand out with his straight speed. I think that's an area they're similar; I don't think Richardson is going to be the fastest running back at the combine, but he's plenty fast on the field. The similarities I see are in running style. They're both pretty good at seeing holes and accelerating through them. Richardson is a little more physical, both as a matter of playing style and what he's able to do with that bigger body. They both have good balance and make plays where other backs might've fallen down. They've got that sense of where the defense is soft and have the instinct to attack it. I say he's got that part of McCoy in him, but I see him being a more physical runner and more valuable to his team, a la Steven Jackson. He might never beast like Jackson can when he's really going, but he'l be able to wear out a defense in ways McCoy can't. I really think McCoy is more a product of Philly's system, and how many other guys defenses have to cover. He's really good, don't get me wrong, but I definitely don't think he's got skills that are super rare. I mean, even if he puts up 1500 rushing yards and 18 TDs with another 300 receiving, or whatever, I'm saying that's a great season, but if I'm grading him he's like an B+ running back to me. Steven Jackson would be an A. Put him on a good team... He'd be something else. So I'm saying I see Richardson having some attributes of both of them, but not "being like" either of them specifically; I'l easily grant all kinds of differences.

[patriots21]

What teams do we think are the favorites to grab him? Broncos, Rams, Seahawks, Redskins, Cardinals? Who would use his talent best and worst?

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by patriots21

What teams do we think are the favorites to grab him? Broncos, Rams, Seahawks, Redskins, Cardinals? Who would use his talent best and worst?

I would honestly probably say the Browns. Hillis isn't going to be there after the season if the reports are accurate, but they only thing is the Browns have A LOT of holes they could address. RB, WR, QB.. and players on defense. It'll be interesting to see where they go in the draft.

[Complex]

Lamar Miller is a better runningback now and will be in the pros. If Lamar was a highly touted coming out of HS and Miami was actually great people would be all over Lamar Miller.

Shady and Richardson are not even close to being similar.

[JoeJoeBrown]

Originally Posted by DraftSavant

Not quite Ricky/Edge, but a very similar debate.

Also, with the new rookie salary structure, I wonder if positions with traditionally low value in round 1 (RB, interior OL, safety) will start to go higher now since they won't enter the league as the highest paid player at their position anymore. Could see more teams going to true BAP.

Good thought wrt BAP.

May see a bit of that but I think positions where talent is scarce will still be the most valued in the draft. Supply vs demand.

[draftguru151]

Originally Posted by Complex

Lamar Miller is a better runningback now and will be in the pros. If Lamar was a highly touted coming out of HS and Miami was actually great people would be all over Lamar Miller.

Shady and Richardson are not even close to being similar.

Lamar isn't better, especially not the past month. He's constantly banged up and longevity is gonna be a big question for him. Even if there weren't injury issues Trent is a better prospect. Lamar is a great back and can be an elite guy, but he isn't there yet (even disregarding the injury stuff), Trent is there already.

[descendency]

I see him just about every weekend. He's the best RB prospect to come out in a few years.

If he's put behind a solid OL in a 1 cut offense, he'll embarrass people on an NFL level. He almost had 100 yards against LSU, despite the fact that they were keying on him in the backfield. Great blocker. Very good receiver.

I have no problem with him going top 10.

If he's available when NE is picking, I don't care if we just picked 50 running backs, I'd take this guy. He's 100% a perfect fit for their offense.

[dannyz]

Originally Posted by descendency

I see him just about every weekend. He's the best RB prospect to come out in a few years.

If he's put behind a solid OL in a 1 cut offense, he'll embarrass people on an NFL level. He almost had 100 yards against LSU, despite the fact that they were keying on him in the backfield. Great blocker. Very good receiver.

I have no problem with him going top 10.

If he's available when NE is picking, I don't care if we just picked 50 running backs, I'd take this guy. He's 100% a perfect fit for their offense.

How? do you talk to him? Ask him if hes going to Declare for the NFL Draft.

I really like the bigger MJD Comparison.

[descendency]

Originally Posted by dannyz

How?

TV, bro. I've seen almost every Bama game the last two years, save the ones against the pointless games like... Duke or one of the community colleges they warm up against.