Less than a week after losing starting halfback Vick Ballard to a season-ending ACL tear, the Indianapolis Colts acquired halfback Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns for a first-round draft pick in 2014.
So, temper my expectations. How excited should I be about this, as a Colts fan? It seems rather odd that the Browns would give up on the #3 pick in the 2012 draft so quickly, after they traded four picks to get him. On the other hand, he won't be asked to carry the offensive load in Indianapolis to the extent he had to in Cleveland. (Better quarterback; better wide receivers; better team, overall).
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Richardson isn't Edge, but look at it this way: You have both the 1st and 3rd overall picks from last year's draft. The Colts, as a franchise, are secure for the future and just need to worry about bolstering that offensive line. Their ceiling for this season is the first round again, but if they fix those holes in the offense, they're going to be terrifying in the next couple of years.
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Trent is a great guy, but wasn't worth the 3rd overall pick. He's no Adrian Peterson. That said, he is extremely strong and tough to bring down. If your O-line can provide the blocking and he improves on finding the right holes, you'll love the guy. I'm really hoping the Browns can make this move pay off next year.
Oh yeah - as for the three additional picks the Browns gave to Minnesota to move up, those were all late-round picks (4th, 5th, and 7th) in a draft where they had multiple picks available late anyway, so I didn't see that as a big deal at the time.
(edited by whatever on 21.9.13 0713)
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Great trade for Cleveland. TRich is solid but not spectacular. Nowadays, you can find a RB anywhere. Getting another #1 next year was a coup for Cleveland. They were not making the playoffs with TRich and now they can reload for the future.