Oakland Raiders: Should they pursue Trent Richardson?

With the signing of free agent Frank Gore and the possible return of Ahmad Bradshaw (currently unsigned) from a season-ending leg injury, the Indianapolis Colts announced on March 12th that they have released running back Trent Richardson.

Richardson spent a little less than two seasons with the Colts after being traded from the Cleveland Browns in September 2013 for a first-round pick but was cut after being largely unproductive. With some serious questions at the running back position, one must ask if the Oakland Raiders should pursue the free agent running back.

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The trade for Richardson was an absolute blockbuster at the time. The former Alabama stud was taken third overall by the Browns and many believed that he would be the next star running back in the NFL. His rookie season was promising enough and he showed flashes of the strength and big-play ability that earned him a Heisman nomination at Alabama.

He only ran for 950 yards but he did so against eight-man boxes and still scored 11 touchdowns in 15 games. His versatility was also on display as he totaled 50 receptions for 367 yards. After 2012, there was a consensus that he could be the Browns’ starting running back for the foreseeable future and that they could build around him and fellow rookie Brandon Weeden.

Instead, the Browns flipped Richardson to the running back desperate Colts for their first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Colts went in to the season with the backfield duo of Vick Ballard and Donald Brown but that was quickly derailed as Ballard suffered an ACL tear in practice before Week 2. The expectation was for the Colts to continue on with Brown and Tashard Choice but instead they gambled on Richardson.

Nov 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Trent Richardson (34) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

It is safe to say that the move did not work out. In his three seasons in the NFL, Trent Richardson eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark just three times with the Browns and has never come close to the mark in Indianapolis. He has seen his carries taken away and given to less highly touted players such as the aforementioned Brown, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Dan Herron. After being touted as the savior of Indy’s running game, he simply became another problem.

So where do the Oakland Raiders come in to the picture? Simply put, the Raiders need another running back and Trent Richardson has something to prove. Richardson recently told ESPN.com (via Mike Wells) that he believes he can still be a top running back and even compared himself to one of the best backs in the NFL. Richardson said “I’ll be one of the top running backs from here on out. They ruled Marshawn Lynch off in his third year. Look at what he’s doing now. My next stop, I’ll be the starter. I still have my pride, and I know who I am.”

What better place to prove that than where Lynch grew up in Oakland, California. According to Wells, Richardson is also likely to file a grievance against the Colts for his 2015 salary so he may not be looking for a major payday and may look for a team where he has a chance at the starting job. Roy Helu is strictly a third down back and Latavius Murray has shown flashes of greatness but is very much unproven.

In the glory days, the Oakland Raiders were known for taking on the league’s misfits and giving players second chances. They were also known for taking risks on former first round picks that did not pan out with their original teams. Far be it for us to compare Richardson to Raiders greats such as Jim Plunkett but there is no denying that he has talent and the motivation to succeed.

If Reggie McKenzie does indeed sign the former Colt he will likely be blasted by his critics as wasting money on yet another washed up running back like he did with Maurice Jones-Drew. The difference is that Jones-Drew was clearly at the tail end of his career but Richardson is only 26 years old, has only 600 career carries, and has a massive chip on his shoulder. So if the price is right and so is his mind, then the Raiders should make the move and pursue Trent Richardson in free agency.

Next: Oakland Raiders: Rating The Moves So Far

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