Should Indianapolis Colts use draft to upgrade at RB?

By Nick Ziegler | Feb 20, 2015

The Indianapolis Colts have become a regular visitor to the NFL Playoffs, as since drafting Andrew Luck he has been able to lead them into the playoffs in the last three seasons. The Colts recently made it the furthest they have in the Luck-era, as they reached the AFC Championship Game.

In the championship game however, the Colts found out the hard way that despite having a franchise quarterback, they are still far away from being title contenders. The Colts took a pretty good beating from the eventual Super Bowl Champions, and despite having one of the best offenses in the NFL; they were only able to score one touchdown against New England.

One glaring need for the Colts to become true title contenders, is that they need to upgrade at the running back position. The Colts thought that they addressed their need for a running back when they traded a first-round pick for Trent Richardson, but that has proved to be a colossal failure. In almost two full seasons with the Colts, Richardson’s stats are dreadful, as he has 977 yards on 316 carries for a poor 3.1 yards per carry average.

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The relationship between Richardson and the Colts continues to deteriorate, as he was suspended two games for missing a walkthrough. According to Indystar.com, Richardson missed that walkthrough due to complications with his girlfriend’s pregnancy. Richardson’s girlfriend was apparently experiencing labor-pains just 28 weeks into the pregnancy, leading to Richardson missing the walkthrough and flight to New England.

Indianapolis would suspend Richardson for conduct detrimental to the team, which would allow them to void Richardson’s contract. With a big battle likely coming between Richardson and the Colts, Indianapolis will have to plan this offseason with it in mind that one way or another Richardson’s days are done with the Colts.

With Richardson’s contract up in the air, it may switch some of the Colts’ attention from acquiring a running back in free agency to now going after one in the draft. There are some talented running backs available this offseason in free agency like DeMarco Murray, Mark Ingram, and C.J. Spiller, but the Colts could be better suited drafting a young running back.

Indianapolis holds the 29^th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and that puts them right in the ball park for where running backs Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley could be selected. 2012 was the last year that there was a running back drafted in the first-round, as Richardson, David Wilson, and Doug Martin were all selected in the first 32 picks. In the past two drafts however, teams have been shying away from running backs in the first-round; until this year.

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs with the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Both Gordon and Gurley are first-round talents, as Gordon dominated at the University of Wisconsin, while Gurley shined at the University of Georgia. Gordon in 2014 put up video-game stats at Wisconsin, as in 14 games he rushed for 2,587 yards with 29 rushing touchdowns. His great season led to him coming in second place in Heisman voting behind Marcus Mariota.

Gurley had a more tumultuous 2014 season, as he was suspended four games, and then upon his return, he would tear his ACL. In six games last season, Gurley still was able to put up good numbers, showing his talent with 911 rushing yards in 2014. If it wasn’t for the torn ACL, Gurley would have probably been the first running back taken in the draft, but there is the injury concern.

Either Gordon or Gurley would be an upgrade at running back from Richardson, and getting a talent like them in the late first-round would be a great move by the Colts.

Next: Who Are 5 Options for the Colts at RB in 2015?

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